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News Wrap-up: Of stateless children and school holidays

Oct 12, 2018

MOE makes it easier for stateless children to study in Malaysia

The Education Ministry will make it easier for stateless children to register for government schools.

It says starting next year, children without citizenship will only need to produce birth certificates, adoption papers or a court order to register.

Those without such documents can get verification from their community leaders or their people’s representatives.

These new conditions will be used for the school session in January next year, and these students will be allowed to sit for public examinations like UPSR, SPM and STPM.

The government says it's to ensure that all children have access to formal education.

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Tun M believes the country still needs tolls

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says it's not financially feasible to have toll-free highways here. 

He says it costs a lot of money to build and maintain such highways, and it's best handled by the private sector.

"If you want to do away with toll, who's going to maintain the roads? Who's gonna build new roads? If you tell the private sector to build the roads, they want to make money. But with no tolls, how can you make money?"

Tun Dr M adds that the only way to have a toll-free highway is to raise the price of petrol, just like they do in England. 

In its election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan vowed to gradually abolish tolls, but the Prime Minister says he disagreed with the promise.

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Ketapi clarifies no staggered school holidays

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has distanced itself from a proposal to stagger school holidays according to region. 

Its Minister says, it was a personal opinion expressed by the Deputy Minister, and it hasn't been discussed officially. 

The Deputy Minister made the proposal earlier this week, to help ease congestions at popular tourist spots during school holidays.

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Wan Azizah: Failure to report bullying cases may be crime under new act

The government may set up a new law that will penalise people who fail to report cases of bullying. 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says all parties must do their part to curb bullying, especially in schools. 

She also urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities to prevent them from becoming victims, or perpetrators, of cyberbullying.

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Lorry driver who killed family of five pleads claims trial

The driver of a lorry that crashed into a car along the North-South Expressway near the Menora Tunnel, has pleaded not guilty for driving under the influence of drugs.

Five family members were burnt to death in the accident. 

According to Kuala Kangsar police, the driver also has 13 outstanding traffic summonses for various offences including speeding.