Dewan Negara News-In-Brief: Feb 25

KBS REFINES GUIDELINES TO CURB VIOLENCE LINKED TO DIGITAL GAMING

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is drafting guidelines for online gaming, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital and the Ministry of Education, as part of efforts to curb violence among youths.

Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the move is important, following emerging trends involving elements of violence, aggression, and extremism, stemming from online interactions while playing video games, which could influence the mindset of young people.

In addition to monitoring the online space, he said KBS is also implementing targeted psychosocial approaches, including controlled emotional expression under the Dengar Rakan Muda initiative, organising intervention camps featuring motivational workshops and social simulations, and offering healthy alternatives through volunteer activities.

He said this in his reply to a supplementary question from Senator Niran Tan Kran on the government’s early preventative measures to curb youth violence, during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara, today.

-- BERNAMA

PLKN 3.0 PILOT PROJECT AT UNIVERSITIES TO BEGIN IN JULY AND AUGUST

KUALA LUMPUR -- The pilot project for National Service Training Programme 3.0 (PLKN 3.0), at institutions of higher learning, will be implemented in July and August this year, involving about 6,000 students, including those from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and three polytechnics.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the implementation is part of the phased approach under PLKN 3.0, which targets individuals aged between 16 and 35, covering both secondary school students and those in institutions of higher learning.

He added that at the secondary school level, the programme has been implemented through the Kem Pemimpin Generasi MADANI, since July 2025, at 2,466 schools, involving 20 per cent of Form Four students, or approximately 73,000 participants.

“At the Ministry of Defence level, training is conducted at Territorial Army camps, with an overall target of 25,000 participants,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Senator Azahar Hassan on the ministry’s readiness to make PLKN a mandatory programme for all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers.

-- BERNAMA

MOE BOOSTS PRESCHOOL CAPACITY WITH 350 NEW CLASSES AHEAD OF 2027 MANDATE

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) is adding 350 new preschool classes, nationwide, this year, compared with 150 classes last year, as part of thorough preparations to make preschool education compulsory at the age of five, beginning in 2027.

Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh said that, as of Feb 12, a total of 10,514 preschool classes are operating in 6,469 institutions under KPM, now covering 82 per cent of all primary schools, nationwide.

“In addition to constructing new classrooms, KPM is also using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to expedite the provision of facilities tailored to local needs, in order to accommodate rising student enrolment,” he said, during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara, today.

He was responding to a question from Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead, who sought clarification on the government’s plans to open preschools in all primary schools, and to make preschool education compulsory for all pupils, as preparation for entry into Year One.

-- BERNAMA