TMR

BUTTERWORTH — The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged the government to reinstate the 300-litre monthly fuel subsidy quota under the Budi Madani (BUDI95) programme for teachers in conjunction with Teachers’ Day tomorrow.

Its president Aminuddin Awang (picture) said some teachers use their individual BUDI95 quota for official duties, including transporting students to co-curricular activities and competitions at the district, state and national levels using their own vehicles, causing their subsidised fuel quota to be depleted quickly.

“As such, we hope the government will reconsider restoring the 300-litre quota as a token of appreciation for teachers in conjunction with Teachers’ Day,” he told reporters after attending the Penang NUTP Branch Teachers’ Day celebration held in conjunction with Labour Day, which was also attended by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, here today.

Aminuddin said the request had been conveyed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through an official letter sent last month, noting that apart from bearing fuel costs, many teachers also use their own money to purchase stationery and pay for personal laptops and internet services for teaching and official duties.

“Teachers not only spend their own money for official matters, but also utilise their subsidised fuel quota. We hope this matter will be considered as a form of appreciation for educators,” he said.

At the same time, Aminuddin said NUTP was also advocating for the government to enact a Teachers Protection Act to ensure educators receive adequate legal protection while carrying out their duties.

He said teachers today face increasing challenges, including the possibility of receiving letters of demand or facing legal action from parents over issues arising from their efforts to educate and discipline students.

“Teachers are expected to educate and discipline students to the best of their ability, but at the same time they face various challenges, including the possibility of receiving letters of demand or legal action.

“In conjunction with this year’s Teachers’ Day, we hope the government will consider enacting a specific law to protect teachers while they are carrying out their responsibilities,” he said. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh (picture) is awaiting the outcome of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into flood retention pond management before deciding on further action.

She said the report was lodged in 2021 while she was in the opposition, but she has yet to receive any feedback.

“Before we became the government, we lodged a report with the MACC as opposition members. The report was filed in 2021 when massive floods struck Kuala Lumpur.

“I want to know the outcome of that investigation and need a status update from the MACC before commenting further,” she said.

She told a press conference after the launch of the Segambut Utara Railway Station by Transport Minister Anthony Loke here today.

Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud.

Hannah previously revealed that the capacity of flood retention ponds in the capital is estimated at only 30 per cent of their original size, following the shrinkage of pond areas in Jinjang and Batu due to development on 17 land lots.

She said they view the situation seriously because 70 per cent of the 17 lots were alienated to developers since 2015. This reduced the water body’s capacity from its original 114.5 hectares.

Following the disclosure, former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor denied having any knowledge regarding the transfer of flood retention pond land to developers during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Hannah said several improvements have been implemented to prevent management lapses from recurring. These include establishing a special task force involving Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to tighten technical requirements for all development projects. — BERNAMA

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