KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

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Lawyer pans MalaysiaNow editor probe; minister cautions on income tier use for fuel subsidy

11am

Crime

  • Police have arrested an ex-convict who allegedly lured a teenage boy into his Shah Alam apartment before sodomising and confining the victim for several hours on Monday.

    Malaysiakini learned that police tracked down the suspect and arrested him at a location in Selangor. However, details remain sketchy as authorities have yet to release further information.

    Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar is expected to address the case and arrest at a press conference on Monday.

    Police had earlier confirmed the suspect was jailed for 17 years in 2008 for raping and assaulting a woman in Kuala Lumpur, and allegedly lured the 14-year-old victim by offering an internet package in exchange for help carrying items to his home.

UEC

  • Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has joined calls urging the government to review its decision to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for admission into selected public university courses.

    In a statement, the Bersatu president said the move would create a double standard in assessing public university candidates, as it opens another entry channel with a syllabus and examinations fully administered by an external body not under Malaysian government control.

    Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin

    “To date, there is no government agency that has carried out an assessment to guarantee the quality of UEC, auditing its syllabus, teaching and learning process, examinations, and grading system,” Muhyiddin said.

    The Pagoh MP said that during his time as deputy prime minister and education minister, he had suggested Dong Zong allow the Education Ministry to conduct a full review of the UEC, but the Chinese education body rejected it.

    “I believe the Madani government’s decision to recognise UEC was made hastily. Perhaps it has political motivation to ensure DAP’s continuous support for the unity government,” Muhyiddin added.

READ MORE: Zambry hits back at critics over UEC, tahfiz students’ entry into public varsities

  • In response to Muhyiddin, Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi claimed it was the Bersatu leader who was politicising the UEC.

    He called on Bersatu vice-president Radzi Jidin to remind Muhyiddin that it was during his tenure as education minister that the government allowed UEC holders to enrol in Teachers’ Education Institutes, also known by its Malay acronym IPG.

    “Isn’t IPG a public university? So, what is the difference with what the Higher Education Ministry is doing now?

    “UEC graduates can use their certification to enter public universities on the condition that they also have SPM qualification, and that is also only for certain courses like the Chinese language,” Puad said on Facebook.

  • Urimai pro-tem chairperson P Ramasamy has urged the government to decide whether it will recognise the UEC for admission into public universities, similar to matriculation programmes and STPM.

    He said a responsible government should not be dragging its feet on education issues, adding that it is an important matter for the Chinese community.

    Urimai pro-tem chairperson P Ramasamy

    “Right now, the government is not being helpful by allowing students from the independent schooling system who have SPM certificates to apply for only selected courses in public universities.

    “This leaves UEC leavers’ fate in limbo. If Putrajaya thinks it can avoid the issue of UEC recognition by allowing those from other streams, including tahfiz schools, to take up selected courses in public universities, they are mistaken,” Ramasamy said.

Teacher’s Day

  • Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah have extended Teachers’ Day greetings to educators nationwide in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in educating the nation’s children.

    They also expressed appreciation for teachers, describing them as a key pillar in shaping knowledgeable, well-mannered, and competitive future generations.

    “Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah express their appreciation for the sacrifices, patience, and dedication of teachers in imparting knowledge and instilling noble values in the younger generation,” Bernama reported.

    Their Majesties also expressed hope that the welfare of educators will continue to be strengthened, ensuring the teaching profession remains respected and capable of producing outstanding Malaysians.