Your silence is deafening, DAP tells Muhyiddin

The Education Minister’s silence and inaction in the SK Seri Pristana issue is sending out the wrong message to educators in schools nationwide.

DAP's national vice-chairman M. Kula Segaran said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s indifference to the plight of whistleblower Guneswari Kelly, who had to transfer her daughter to a vernacular school, has angered the public.

Guneswari, a parent of a pupil at the school, had exposed how non-Muslim pupils at the school were made to have their recess in a shower room during the Ramadan month after she posted a photo on Facebook.

Her nine-year-old daughter had suffered after that when she became the target of abuse by teachers of the school.

Two days ago, Guneswari told The Malaysian Insider that she will transfer her daughter to a vernacular school in Subang as a result of the bullying. The mother had also been the target of threats.

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Muhyiddin must apologise for inferring non-Muslims behind dog bathing video, says Pakatan

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should apologise for jumping the gun and blaming non-Muslims for being behind a video clip depicting a dog undergoing ablution similar to Muslims before prayers, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said today.

"He should apologise for condemning the video without checking the facts," said the Gelang Patah MP in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

Muslim dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof, 38, had recorded a Raya greeting video three years ago that showed her washing dogs' paws while the call for Azan is heard in the background.

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Haze: Parents can opt not to send children to school, says Muhyiddin

Parents have the discretion not to send their children to school if they are concerned about the haze affecting their children's health, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Parents should refer to the relevant schools, district education offices and state education departments to find out more about the status of their children's schools, especially those in affected areas,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said all state education departments and district education offices have been instructed to monitor news on the air quality in their areas.

"I urge schools to follow the guidelines issued from time to time (by the ministry) on whether schools should be immediately close, the ceasing of all activities outside of the classroom in order to safeguard students' health.

"All state education department directors should also seek the advice of the relevant authorities regarding the closure of schools and any outdoor activities that involve students,” he said.

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DPM: Stern action against school if meals-in-toilet allegations true

Putrajaya pledged stern action today against the authorities of a primary school if allegations that it had forced its non-Muslim students to eat in the toilets during Ramadan are proven true.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, confirmed on his Twitter page this afternoon that the incident will be investigated and punishment meted to those responsible.

“Saya telah mengarahkan KPPM utk siasat isu pelajar bukan Islam yg disuruh makan di dalam tandas. Tindakan tegas akan diambil jika ada asas,” Muhyiddin wrote on the microblogging site.


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Muhyiddin: Cabinet to withdraw controversial Bill allowing unilateral conversion of child

The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 until the approval of all stakeholders is received, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin said the Cabinet made the decision to withdraw the Bill during its meeting Friday following concerns from various quarters including from within Barisan Nasional.

All consequential amendments from the Bill would also be withdrawn, he said in a statement.

The Bill was tabled for the first reading in Parliament on June 26.

Over in BATU PAHAT, MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the Cabinet's decision not to table the Bill shows that the government respects the rights of all races.

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Govt aware of concerns over issue of conversion of minors to Islam

THE government will take into consideration all views and make a fair decision on calls to consider withdrawing a proposal to allow the conversion of minors to Islam by just getting one parent's approval.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin said the government was fully aware of the concerns raised over the proposed amendment to Section 107(b) of the Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which had been tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

"The cabinet has discussed this matter in detail. We understand the need for a fair decision," Muhyiddin said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

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Government assures all parties will be consulted on Child Conversion Bill

The Government has assured that all parties would be consulted before making any decision on the controversial Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Cabinet had discussed the matter extensively and was aware that a fair decision should be made for both the Muslim and the non-Muslim communities.

"We realise that the issue involves Muslims and the non-Muslims and we have discussed the matter in detail during our Cabinet meeting.

"Any decision that will be made should be based on an earlier Court decisions, as well as provisions under the Federal Constitution," he told a press conference in Parliament after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers on Monday.

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Cost of hiring Indonesian maids upped to RM8,000, Govt announces

The Government has announced it will now cost RM8,000 to hire an Indonesian domestic helper.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chaired the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Worker and Illegal Immigrants, said that the new rate was decided after considering all costs incurred in both countries.

"The RM8,000 was decided after considering the training cost of at least 200 hours, travel documentation, food and accommodation before being transferred to new employers, traveling costs, medical check-ups as well as payment to the respective governmental agencies from both countries," he said in Parliament on Monday.

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Selangor Umno supports no contest call

The Selangor Umno liaison committee supports the proposal for the president and deputy president posts to not be contested at the party election end of this year.

Its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Noh Omar, said the leadership of president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, should not be challenged because it could weaken the party struggle.

“Although the number of parliamentary seats won by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 13th general election was less that in the 2008 general election, the number of seats won by Umno increased from 79 to 88.

“Therefore, Selangor Umno will support the prime minister and the deputy prime minister as Umno president and deputy president to continue to lead the party in the 14th general election,” he told reporters after a thanksgiving function here today.

Meanwhile, Noh, who is Tanjung Karang Member of Parliament, said he personally felt that the proposal to turn BN into a single party was not appropriate.

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Muhyiddin: MCA’s right to junk decision rejecting posts

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that it was up the MCA leadership whether to revoke their earlier stand not to accept any government posts.

He said the decision to review or rescind the stand was MCA’s right, while the Barisan Nasional (BN) would accept whatever decision is taken by them.

“If there is anything that they want to review or retract, it’s up to them... it is their right.

“I’m not sure whether it is the time for them to do so, some say it’s too early... about MCA, we leave it to MCA,” he said.


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Muhyiddin won’t rule out possible tilt for Umno presidency

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today refused to exclude a potential contest for the top Umno posts later this year, saying only that he will reveal his position “when the right time comes”.

The Malaysian Insider previously reported Umno is likely to bring forward its triennial party polls to August from October to prevent issues from festering and bogging down its leadership.

Sections within Umno have urged that the president and deputy president’s posts held by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Muhyiddin (picture), respectively, not be contested for fear that a tussle may lead to divisions within the party after an already bruising general election.

“As we know Umno is a democratic party. It’s not the individual’s right but the rights of members and party that matters. I will not comment, wait until when the right time come,” Muhyiddin was quoted as quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama at a Barisan Nasional (BN) thanksgiving function in Kundang Ulu, Johor today.

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Liow: MCA leaders, members must united to regain Chinese support

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was visibly distraught today when responding to reporters' question on the party's fate following MCA'S dismal performance in the 13th general election (GE13).

He said MCA had struggled for 64 years and now the party's leadership had to face the awesome challenge of ensuring that the party remain relevant, especially for the Chinese community in the country.

"It was a big blow to the party in the GE13. What we can do now is that all leaders and members of the party must be united to regain the community's support. We have to come back together.

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GE13: Be modest and humble new young first time candidates

Federal Territory Barisan chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin advises the new line-up of candidates.

Muhyiddin: Pas cannot determine Muslims' fate

The party has no right to reward blessings from Allah, says DPM

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being greeted by an enthusiastic crowd on his arrival at the ‘Jamuan Rakyat 1Malaysia’ programme in Felda Lubuk Merbau in Kuala Nerang, near Alor Star,

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is in no position to determine and reward Muslims with pahala (blessings) from God.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the Kelantan menteri besar's latest campaign against Barisan Nasional as "teori songsang" (wrong theory).

"This is wrong. Pas has no right to determine the fate of Muslims when it comes to the reward of pahala from God.

"In fact, no one in the world can determine our fate in the afterlife.

DPM: Temporary PTPTN loan freeze to Unisel students is fair

The decision to temporarily freeze PTPTN loans to Universiti Selangor (Unisel) students temporarily is fair, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday.

Muhyiddin said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin's decision to stall PTPTN loans at the Selangor government-owned university was to test if Selangor was capable of providing free education as claimed.

Degree a must for new teachers by 2020

BY 2020, all teachers must possess a first degree before they can join the teaching profession.

This was contained in a report of the Education Ministry’s Interim Strategic Education Plan 2011-2020 to improve the overall quality of teachers. At present, they are only required to complete the post-Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) teachers’ training course as a minimum requirement to join the profession. The report also stated that the ministry would conduct pre-screenings to identify quality and excellent teachers from as early as the selection process itself.

The ministry planned to pick only top-scoring university graduates to fill about 20 per cent of trainee teachers by 2015.

The passing criteria for teachers at training institutes would also be reviewed to ensure the quality of trainees continued to be high.

Details on PSD scholarship, Tuesday

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the Government will announce details on the application of the PSD scholarships Tuesday.

Education Ministry to work with Cambridge Malaysian Education and Development Trust

Education minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the collaboration is to enhance the teaching of English in schools.

Thousands join DPM at X'mas open house

People of all races joined Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Malaysia Christmas open house at SMK Tinggi Kajang, Monday.

DPM: I will investigate

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says his office will investigate claims that one of his aides has been receiving bribes.