← Back to list

Education access for the disabled to be improved

Oct 23, 2018

The Disabled Persons Association is hoping the govt maintains its financial aid for the handicapped in Budget 2019, despite the country's debt.

The disabled are currently supported by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, but president V Murugeswaran hopes other Ministries will play their part as well.

Murugeswaran adds if the authorities are planning to upgrade or renovate buildings, they need to take into account, the handicapped.

The president also wants the Education Ministry to adhere to the universal design standard, when it renovates or builds new schools.

Meanwhile in Parliament, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said his Ministry aims to improve disabled-friendly infrastructure in schools.

The Ministry also intends to increase access to education for the disabled, by building more special secondary schools and even a vocational college for them.

-----

MEF calls for a more stable labour market in Budget 2019

The Malaysian Employers Federation wants the government to make the labour market more stable in Budget 2019.

Its executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan says the government should give companies incentives to reduce retrenchment.

He adds currently when the economy is not doing that well, the first thing the company will do is to reduce the workforce and this could lead to social problems.

Separately, civil servants have called on the government to introduce one-month paid paternity leave for all male staff under Budget 2019.

The MTUC also told the Malay Mail that it would like to see a minimum of three-months' paid maternity leave for women, up to the fifth child.

-----

PAC concludes questioning Irwan Serigar on missing GST refunds

Image source: Utusan

The Public Accounts Committee is done with questioning former Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, over the alleged missing GST refunds.

PAC Deputy Chairman Wong Kah Woh says next up to be questioned will be former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Wong adds the comittee will conclude its proceedings, after questioning these people.

Meanwhile, the PAC says it will re-investigate the 1MDB financial scandal starting next week, adding it has filed a motion in Parliament to make the proceedings public.

----

Amirudin Shari asks fellow state leaders to raise minimum age for marriage

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has urged fellow state government leaders to raise the minimum age for marriage, to 18- years-old. 

He says Selangor acted urgently on the matter by approving the relevant amendments in the state assembly last month, to protect children. 

The Prime Minister has directed states to standardise the minimum age for marriage to 18, for males and females, and all races.