Religious cults are enemies of nation building and economic progress

The rise of cults like GISB or Global Ikhwan Sendirian Berhad and Holdings threatens planning for a prosperous and dignified Malaysia. — Bernama

The Madani budget has been tabled and it aims for development and progress hopefully will turn our lives around for the better.

The rise of cults like GISB or Global Ikhwan Sendirian Berhad and Holdings, which is believed to be a splinter of the Al-Arqam cult that was declared a deviant group, threatens our planning for a prosperous and dignified Malaysia.

Knowledge progress

One key aspect of human and nation development is the progress in knowledge. In order for knowledge to grow, thrive and be of use, it must developed in a critical and rigorously academic and practiced manner.

Information, experience and perceptions of societies must be framed within a critical discourse and questions formulated to break down the issues and rigorously examined to develop newer and better ways of doing things or thinking about things. With the presence of cult teachings, knowledge is inward and imprisoned and all interpretations will depend entirely on a group of self appointed people that would imprison the human minds to stagnate and eventually die. Billions of ringgit allocated for education and research would be wasted and the nation will never change and progress positively.

Prof Mohd Tajuddin opines that religious cults will undermine progress of the nation — dividing the community and stagnating progress with the rejection of discourse and critical thinking.

Secular education

An important part of education is profession-based knowledge and philosophical or social based knowledge. Both must come from a secular perspective with critical discourse and empirical findings being the basic tools for humanity to teach itself differently from the past.

Cults like GISB would stagnate and kill secular education as it is deemed unrelated to the world view of God and other religious teachings.

The budget had allocated almost RM90bil for schools and universities to make sure that the country has the work skills and the professional knowledge that would attract investors as well as provide a multi-national collaboration on many business and educational ventures.

Cult teachings abhor secular knowledge, which is deemed detrimental to the survival of the faith that deals with the idea of faith knowledge from the elders, with no chance for testing, examining and discourse.

Education religion

The budget also saw much money being allocated for religious teaching especially that of Islam. The Madani government seek a modern style education of the tahfizs, madrasah and Islamic education institutions in order to provide a perspective of both the worldly and spiritual development as one and growing at the same pace. Cults like the GISBH uses direct faith teaching that has gone far away from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. They rely only on their cult leader’s Abuya or Ashhaari’s visons and statements to guide their spiritual paths.

The cult believes in the continuity of the dead leader’s teachings through human vessels and even vassals in order to grasp a strong hold on the minds and soul of the followers. They will not be able to appreciate the real teaching of Islam from a platform that is more moderate and critical in approach.

Global work culture

A global work culture is no longer an “if” but is now a “must”. Work appointments now cross cultural boundaries and a global education construct that looks at the world is encouraged, and peering inwards at one’s own micro society is no longer an option. Universities must see that their curriculum accreditation aligns with the broader requirements of a borderless world. The idea of an education for a career destined mainly in a small geographical location is no longer an attractive or the only option.

A narrow-minded educational construct is no different than a cult holding back its followers under a coconut shell that would have apparent short term safety at the cost of larger and more golden opportunities.

Freedom and entrepreneurship

Freedom of expression and questioning leads to entrepreneurship where the talents and ideas matter most. The days of a fixed and boxed in ideas of cults like GISBH or even of professions in any practice are challenged with the rise of AI doing jobs that earlier graduates can perform.

The new ways are the management and the ideas of new ventures and cross cultural competition at the global levels are now the new gaming fields. The old borders should be no more. And yet, Malaysia is still stifled with old outdated practices and evaluations of a fast disappearing and extinct work constructs and policies. To be successful, new ideas must challenge the old ideas and practices with the ocean that has no shorelines to be the new battlefields of economies.

Democracy and dignity

In human history, religion was supposed to define the dignity of a person.

But then, religion became a tool of conquest and subjugation and has made man less than what he was meant to be by creating a class of clergy and followers.

It was democracy, socialism and communism that began to redefine the dignity of the person through ideas of economy, whether of a shared state or a capitalistic one.

The worth of a person is related to the idea of property ownership and currency exchange in one sense and also the ideas of human rights and civil liberties on the other. In a cult where the leadership owns and profits everything while treating workers as slaves without personal wealth, the dignity of a person decreases significantly as well as the idea of expansion and innovation. Without personal wealth and capital, new ventures would fail to materailise.

Democracy as practiced now in many nations is an anchor of economic well being where justice for basic survivability and dignity of people are controlled by the masses rather than like a cult from the leadership alone. Political and religious cults destroys human dignity and thus the economies that go with them.

Conclusion

Religious cults will undermine our progress as a country and as a nation. They divide our community and stagnate our progress with the rejection of discourse and critical thinking. Without discourses and critical thoughts, entrepreneurship and progress die out along with whatever survivability or sustainability that we can ever hope for.

Prof Dr Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is a professor of Architecture at the Tan Sri Omar Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies at UCSI University. He also sits on the Board of Governors of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

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Big demand for childcare

 

Sim Daycare, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Penang

SIM Sungai Dua

 

Contact Person: Ms. Lim. Phone Number: 04-659 2998 / 017-216 2998. Address: 746, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.

Exercising caution: Enrolling children in registered childcare centres reduces the risk of negligence or abuse. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Kindergartens and nursery centres have continued to thrive in Penang – despite the hassle of getting the necessary licence to operate.

An operator of a kindergarten near Alma here, who wanted to be known only as Joo, went through the whole rigmarole to set up an adjacent childcare centre, which is expected to be up and running in a couple of months, almost a year after the process began.

After spending RM200,000 to convert a house into the intended childcare centre, there was red tape to contend with, she said.

“The whole process included engaging an architect to draw up the plan as well as submissions for various permits from the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Fire and Rescue Department, Education Department and Social Welfare Department, which all have their own sets of rules.“The application to MBSP itself took about 100 days to complete,” she added.

Then, all her staff were required to undergo a mandatory three-month Permata Childcare Course. It cost her about RM1,000 for each staff member.

“In total, I spent between RM400,000 and RM500,000 to set up this centre. It would have cost me less if not for the delay in getting the licence,” she said in an interview yesterday.

Joo’s kindergarten has been running for the past 15 years, providing preschool education to some 60 children.

“Operating the childcare centre legally is for the long term and I don’t want to worry about it being shut down by the authorities.

“Parents, too, will be more confident about entrusting us with their children,” she said.

Joo said everything at the centre would be above board and adhere to regulations.

Another operator, who preferred not to be named, said it took her almost 10 years to get a licence to operate a kindergarten here.“When I took over the kindergarten from the previous owner in 2006, I did not know it did not have a permit to operate.

“I then halted operations and filed an application to the relevant authorities. I only managed to get the permit in 2016,” she said.Under the Penang Care Centre Registration Guidelines enforced since 2021, the council allows for a maximum of seven kindergartens, nurseries or childcare centres within a 400m radius on the island while nine of them (three each) are allowed within a 250m radius on the mainland.

It was reported that 63 nurseries, 34 childcare centres (taska) and 100 kindergartens were still operating illegally in Penang.State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said although Penang had made various efforts to legalise them since 2017, including fee waivers and discount rates to encourage operators to submit their applications, many persisted in operating without a licence.

She said the Social Welfare Department had since issued a notice to limit enrolment of children until the centre could get mandatory certifications from the relevant agencies.

However, out of concern for the wellbeing of the children and their parents, the state still hoped that these unlicensed operators would be spared from being fined or closed down, Lim added.

Last Sunday, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry advised parents and guardians to ensure their children were enrolled in taska registered with the Social Welfare Department to prevent incidents of negligence, abandonment or abuse.It said these childcare centres were regularly monitored and inspected by the department.

It also said the registration of childcare centres includes a requirement that each caregiver holds a Certificate in Permata Care Course, as well as proactive measures to protect children from potential harm in these facilities.

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The Government aims to have a workforce comprising at least 59% of women by 2020. To do that, we must have more registered childcare centres to cater to these women’s children, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said. On Aug 14, Sunday Star reported that Malaysia is far from its target of having 13,200 registered childcare centres by 2020. Currently, there are not enough centres to cater to 3.2 million children under the age of four whose parents are in need of these services.

Unlocking doors with Mandarin fluency

Two Steps to Mandarin Fluency

 

SJKC reality: For better future opportunities

  

JKC reality: Sink or swim for non-Chinese students?

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Testing his knowledge: Year 4 pupil Muaz Harith reading in Mandarin during a Science lesson while his teacher Tam Kai Shan looks on at SJK(C) Kampung Baru Paroi. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Many parents, including those who are non-Chinese, have opted to send their children to a Chinese school in the hopes of expanding their children’s opportunities in the future.

This is especially so as China has rapidly become a global economic powerhouse that is still expanding.

But what is the reality on the ground? Are employers more keen to hire workers with the added advantage of being fluent in Mandarin?

Having an extra language in your arsenal is always a positive thing in terms of employability, according to business leaders from various chambers of commerce and industry in the country.

While Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor president Datuk Ng Yih Pyng agreed that being able to speak Mandarin gives one more options in terms of employment, he said proficiency in any foreign language is valuable in today’s more connected world.

It also depends on the specific business and its dealings, he added.

“It is always good for one to learn more languages, regardless of race. A lot of schools also offer French or Spanish 

“I think it all depends on the company. If my company specialises in dealing with Japan, for example, it would be good for me to have candidates who speak Japanese.

“Your supplier and your customer will feel more comfortable and the chances of misunderstandings will be lower,” he said.

Ng pointed out that there are other considerations when hiring an employee aside from their language proficiency.

“Language is important. But there are also more skill sets out there.

“So it really depends on a lot of factors. But being able to communicate in Mandarin is an advantage,” he said.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia president Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan believes Mandarin fluency will indeed improve someone’s chances of getting hired in China-oriented businesses and Chinese-populated countries such as China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“Being able to communicate in their native language enhances communication and cultural understanding, develops connection and fosters trust, which are valuable in building stronger relationships and conducting business effectively,” he said.

He cited the example of the Malaysian tourism industry, where mastering Mandarin could help tourism practitioners such as tour agencies and tour guides provide value-added services and tour experiences for tourists from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Concurring, Christina Tee, president of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that China is a big economic region now, so it is almost certain that being fluent in Mandarin will give these job seekers a higher potential of getting employed.

Those who learn an extra language tend to have very good communication skills as well, which will give them even more of an edge in getting hired, she added.

“They definitely stand a higher chance at getting better opportunities internationally because they have opened themselves up to a different kind of market,” she said.

This is the final part of Media in Arms’ special report series “SJKC: Reality for Non-Chinese students”, which explores the experience of non-Chinese students in Chinese schools.

Media in Arms is a media collaboration comprising five mainstream media outlets: Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily, Malay daily Sinar Harian, local news broadcaster Astro Awani, Tamil newspaper Malaysia Nanban and The Star, which formed this initiative in February 2022 to share resources and collaborate on diversified news content.

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China extends a TVET helping hand to Malaysia

One for the album: The Malaysian delegation led by Ahmad Zahid posing for a group photo after the MOU signing ceremony between Belia Mahir and Beifang International Education in Beijing. — Bernama

Scholarships and training in courses ranging from EVs to robotics and AI available

WITH over 5,000 Malaysian students set to benefit from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in China, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called it a “game changer” in skills learning and career advancement for youth.

The Deputy Prime Minister said 220 Chinese companies are offering 5,125 places to Malaysian students to undertake short- to long-term courses in TVET.

The “game changer,” he said, will enable Malaysian students to learn high-tech equipment skills and forge a promising career path in TVET, which would come with better salaries.

“They will receive training in China through the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training Programme’s Finishing School approach, with all expenses covered. 

“These collaborations focus on various advanced courses, particularly in the automotive sector, emphasising electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy vehicles (REVs), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI),” he told the media in Beijing on Wednesday night.

Ahmad Zahid is in the Chinese capital on the last leg of his 11-day trip to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral ties. Before Beijing, he was in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

It’s also his first official visit to China since becoming Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022.

On the TVET programme, Ahmad Zahid said the initiative stems from a collaboration between the National Organisation of Skilled Workers (Belia Mahir) and China’s TVET sector, particularly through the Beifang Automotive Education Group and Tang (M) International Education Group.

Earlier, he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and 114 Chinese firms to affirm the collaboration and facilitate TVET training for Malaysian students at the Beifang International Education Centre in Daxing, Beijing.

Also present were Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, GiatMara chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir, Belia Mahir secretary-general and head of skilled youth Mohammad Rizan Hassan, Beifang International Education president Cao Zhenfeng and Tang International Education Group president Li Jinsong.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, said the training quota includes 500 places for Malaysian Chinese students and 200 places each for Indian students, and those from Sabah and Sarawak.

“Graduates will later be absorbed into these Chinese companies that have invested in TVET in Malaysia, enhancing their employability and immediate job market readiness.

“In addition to the 2,000 positions provided by Beifang Automotive, we have also secured a further 3,125 places following our recent discussions; it now totals 5,125 opportunities for our students.

“These courses are worth some RM30mil, sponsored by Chinese firms. Our side will cover flight tickets and a basic Chinese language course provided by the Malaysia-China Institute (MCI),” he said, adding that the courses will be rolled out in phases through 2025.

He also thanked Beifang for its commitment to sending training equipment, including six EVs and hydrogen cars to GiatMara, to facilitate the practical learning of repairing EVs and REVs, along with the free training provided to underprivileged students and instructors from Malaysian TVET institutions.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia’s emerging development in TVET talent is a way forward for these graduates to earn premium salaries.

“The demand for skilled labour is high, and with the requisite skills, achieving a premium salary is feasible.

“This is a proactive and straightforward process. I hope Malaysian students will seize the opportunity to further their studies,” he said.

The graduates’ qualifications, said Ahmad Zahid, are recognised by the newly unified accreditation body comprising the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Skills Development Department for TVET courses.

“Previously, the National TVET Council has approved a single accreditation body that will do the recognition, either at the certificate or diploma level.”

Between May 29 last year and May 28 this year, he said, 850 Malaysians have undergone skill enhancement training in China in fields such as EV, AI, industrial automation, and railway maintenance.

“China’s exemplary practices in TVET serve as a benchmark for Malaysia.

“We aim to focus on industry partnerships, practical training and relevant curriculum development, utilising modern and advanced training facilities to prepare our workforce for future challenges.

“I hope all parties in Malaysia and China will fully support the MCI and subsequently become partners of the Malaysian government in our efforts to strengthen Malaysia-China diplomatic relations through TVET,” he concluded.

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