TMR

By HIDAYATH HISHAM

ALLOWING graduates of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to enrol in selected programmes at public higher education institutions (IPTAs) will expand Malaysians’ access to higher education.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (picture) said the move was part of the government’s commitment to broadening educational opportunities for graduates from systems outside the Education Ministry.

He said the initiative was inclusive as it was not limited to UEC certificate holders, but also extended the same opportunity to graduates from tahfiz schools.

“This is the government’s commitment to provide a pathway for graduates from education systems outside the Education Ministry to further their studies at public universities. It is not only UEC holders, tahfiz certificate holders are also included.

“So, this step actually expands access for Malaysians to obtain higher education and it is something very positive for the country’s human capital development,” he told reporters during a press conference after the launch of the Segambut Utara Railway Station today.

According to him, the matter was agreed upon during the Cabinet meeting on admission pathways for students from outside the national education system into public higher education institutions.

Meanwhile, Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, expressed disappointment over the opposition’s attempts to politicise the initiative, saying they were objecting to efforts aimed at expanding educational access.

“I find it strange why the opposition is objecting. The opposition seems to be opposing efforts to give the rakyat access to education. We want to educate our children and provide them with better education, but they only know how to object without basis.

“Their actions indirectly deny our children the right to pursue higher levels of education,” he said.

On May 14, the Higher Education Ministry announced that graduates from tahfiz schools or institutions, as well as Chinese Independent High Schools (SMPC) and UEC holders, would have the opportunity to enrol in selected programmes at public universities.

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By HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE newly launched KTM Komuter station in Segambut Utara is aimed to strengthen public transport connectivity and reduce road congestion in the Klang Valley.

The Segambut Utara Railway Station was developed at a cost of more than RM39 million through a collaboration between Railway Assets Corporation (RAC), Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and UOA Development Bhd’s subsidiary IDP Industrial Development Sdn Bhd.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the opening of this station is not merely a symbolic ceremony, but a clear manifestation of the Madani Government’s commitment to developing an efficient, inclusive and people-oriented transportation system.

The station is located between Segambut and Kepong stations and forms part of the KTM Komuter Tanjung Malim–Pelabuhan Klang route.

It is expected to benefit nearly 90,000 residents in Segambut, Kepong, Jinjang and Mont Kiara, with the catchment population projected to exceed 100,000 in the future.

Loke said the station was planned based on actual commuter movement, daily travel patterns and long-term growth potential in the surrounding areas.

“The planning and construction of this station was not reactive in nature, but instead based on data while taking into account long-term needs and usage patterns,” he said at the launch of the railway today (May 15).

The station can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods and is expected to handle about 580,000 passengers annually.

It is also expected to raise ridership on the Tanjung Malim–Port Klang route by 2% within the first six months of operation, after the route recorded 4.3 million passengers throughout 2025.

The station is equipped with 110 parking bays, including four designated OKU parking spaces, 50 motorcycle bays, four lifts, four escalators, covered walkways, tactile paving and direct pedestrian access to United Point.

The government will also provide three months of free parking at the station to encourage commuters to use public transport.

Loke said the station’s facilities were designed to support inclusivity and daily convenience for different groups of commuters.

“Within the framework of Malaysia Madani, the principle of inclusivity is not merely a slogan, but a genuine commitment to ensure that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, families with young children and lower-income workers are able to enjoy public facilities that are safe, easily accessible and equitable,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will extend the GoKL 13 CityBus service from MRT Jinjang–Matrade to the Segambut Utara Station bus stop from June 1.

The extended route will cover an additional 500 metres along Jalan Udang Gantung and operate daily from 6am to 11pm.

The station also provides integration with bus, taxi and e-hailing services, including a designated Grab stand, to improve first-and-last-mile connectivity for commuters in Segambut, Kepong, Mont Kiara and Jinjang.

RAC and KTMB said the project reflected the ability of public and private sector collaboration to deliver rail infrastructure that directly benefits the public while supporting the long-term sustainability of the national rail network.

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PUTRAJAYA — The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) Global has been granted Implementation Partner status by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

This status, accorded through an agreement signed on May 12, enables AFPPD Global to implement UNFPA-funded work plans under the 2026-2029 UNFPA Global and Regional Programme, strengthening its role in advancing parliamentary cooperation on population and development issues across the region.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also AFPPD Malaysia president, said as the host of the AFPPD Global Secretariat, Malaysia is now better positioned to serve as a regional centre for parliamentary engagement on demographic resilience, reproductive health, gender equality, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

“This achievement is also significant for Malaysia. I extend my warmest congratulations to Ipoh Timor Member of Parliament Howard Lee, who serves as secretary-general of AFPPD Global and deputy president of AFPPD Malaysia, for his leadership in securing this important milestone,” Nanta said in a Facebook post today.

Nanta said the status affirms Malaysia’s growing role as a trusted partner in international parliamentary and UN-linked cooperation, adding that Malaysia looks forward to supporting AFPPD Global in translating this recognition into meaningful work for the people of Asia and the Pacific.

AFPPD is a broad network of 30 National Committees consisting of parliamentarians in the Asia Pacific and Central Asia regions and serves as a forum to recommend and coordinate policies to create a better future for all in the regions, especially vulnerable people.

AFPPD organises parliamentarians’ meetings and seminars over 10 times a year based on the adopted activity plan at the General Assembly, funded by multi-stakeholders, including UNFPA. — BERNAMA

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KUALA TERENGGANU — A female civil servant in Terengganu lost RM99,276 after falling victim to two fraudulent online investment schemes.

Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 38-year-old victim responded to a ‘’Webull investment scheme’’ advertisement on the Telegram application on May 1, which promised lucrative returns within just six hours.

“She chose a starter package worth RM1,000 and was asked to make several additional payments on the pretext of enabling the withdrawal of investment profits.

“The deceived victim made 12 payments totalling RM48,965 into four different accounts between May 1 and 7,” he said in a statement today.

Azli said that on May 11, the victim invested in another scheme known as Sunway Trade through the same application, making bank transfers totalling RM50,311 over three days after being promised substantial returns within 30 minutes.

“The victim suspected she had been cheated after being asked to make an additional payment of RM38,527 purportedly for extra costs.

“She lodged a police report at 2.40 pm yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he said. — BERNAMA

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