Dewan Negara News In Brief: Dec 9

COMPREHENSIVE K9, K11 SCHOOLS TO BE FURTHER EXPANDED TO CURB STUDENT DROPOUTS - MOE

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to expand the implementation of the Special Comprehensive Model Schools K9 and K11 as a key strategy to tackle the issue of pupil dropout in remote and rural areas, as well as Orang Asli settlements.

Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh said that over the past three years, the programmes have shown significant effectiveness in reducing transition dropout rates, including the progression of Standard Six students to Form One and Form Three students to Form Four.

“Before 2022, the number of K9 schools did not exceed 13. Over the past three years, we have increased this number to 30, following a process of identifying needs in potential schools.

“Furthermore, in 2023, we introduced the K11 concept by upgrading K9 schools, and currently there are two K11 schools at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Long Bedian, Sarawak and SMK Betau, Pahang.

“This year, three more schools were added, bringing the total to five K11 schools,” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Mustafa Musa.

-- BERNAMA 

GOVT FIRMLY DEFENDS SYARIAH COURTS’ JURISDICTION - MOHD NA’IM

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government has reaffirmed that the jurisdiction of Syariah Courts remains protected under the Federal Constitution, despite the Federal Court’s decision in the Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid case in February 2024, which provided a new interpretation of the competence of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in enacting syariah criminal laws.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the ruling does not affect the position of Syariah Courts as state judicial institutions, but rather clarifies the legislative limits of the state as outlined in List II, State List.

He said the enactment, amendment and review of syariah laws remain the responsibility of the state religious authorities and DUN.

“The government has established a Special Committee to Study Issues Related to the Competence of DUN, chaired by Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, and the committee’s preliminary report serves as an important reference for the direction of Islamic legal reforms at the state level,” he said in the Dewan Negara today.

Mohd Na’im was replying to a question from Senator Musoddak Ahmad.

-- BERNAMA

DEFENCE ASSET ACQUISITION MUST BE BALANCED WITH OTHER SECTORS’ NEEDS 

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia needs to balance the acquisition of air defence assets with the development needs of other sectors, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said although the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) modernisation plan under the RMAF Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55) highlights a significant need for new assets, the government must ensure that defence spending does not undermine the development of other key sectors that also contribute to the nation’s prosperity.

“Indeed, by calculation, we require many assets and equipment. However, at the same time, we are aware that the country also needs allocations for other sectors.

“We also recognise that our defence doctrine is purely to protect the country, with no intention to attack any other nation. Hence, sufficient assets and equipment for defensive purposes are adequate,” he said when replying to a question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar.

-- BERNAMA