LET’S look at some figures: 77% of Malaysians are qualified up to SPM level, 23% are tertiary educated and 40% of public university graduates are jobless or stuck in a mismatched job. The top reason for unemployment is language proficiency. There seems to be a glaring mismatch between the type of human capital that our schools and universities churn out and the type that are industry- and nation-building worthy. What is the purpose of having an education that is mismatched to market demands? The labour market requires that workers be equipped with good English language skills, both communication and written. The 11 years of primary and secondary school expose students to English only as a su

Founder member of G25 Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil Jaafar talks about what’s ahead for the grouping. A group of 25 prominent Malays made the headlines on Dec 8 last year, with their open letter calling for a review of syariah and civil law, to be in line with the supremacy of the Federal Constitution. They are pushing for a high-powered committee which would recommend amendments to meet the needs of Muslims while also entrenching the rights of minorities. Their stand has drawn both strong support and opposition from other new groups. Although they are now known as G25, their number has more than doubled. Founder member and former Wisma Putra secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil Jaafar talks about th

PETALING JAYA: The Chief Secretary to the Government should issue clear directives regarding dress codes and its enforcement at government offices and agencies, said G25 coordinator Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin. "There is no legal basis for the imposition of dress codes on the public whom they are serving. "We agree with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that dress codes should be applied to the staff of departments and agencies and not members of the public," said Noor Farida. On Thursday, Dr Mahathir reportedly said that dress codes were an office matter, that it was the right of an individual to wear shorts in public and should be allowed to enter government facilities like a hospital as long as

A ROUNDTABLE discussion on “Religion and Human Rights” was organised by the Islamic Renaissance Front on June 14. Regrettably, most media reports ignored the main speeches and sensationalised some questions and answers in such a way that it appeared to be an exercise in religious authority bashing. In fact, it was a thought-provoking deliberation on many themes, one prominent one being whether Islam permits independent thought, reason and reflection. Religion and reason: On this issue, Surah 20:114 of the Holy Quran must be noted. “O my Lord, advance me in knowledge”. The very first revelation to Prophet Muhammad reads: “Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: An

IN the wake of strong comments by Muslims about the tight-fitting gymnastic attire that Farah Ann Abdul Hadi wore at the Sea Games in Singapore, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) announced that it would come up with guidelines on what Muslim women should wear when participating in sports. Although these guidelines are advisory and not law, the public and the business sector have learnt not to take them lightly, because with Islam being institutionalised and politicised in this country, the guidelines are as good as law. Notice the reaction of the entertainment industry after Jakim issued guidelines regarding stage performances by male and female artistes, including the kind of jokes

PETALING JAYA: The National Civics Bureau (BTN) should be revamped as it is undermining multiculturalism in the country, says the Group of 25 (G25) prominent Malays. Its coordinator Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said the bureau never used to be racist, and called on the Government to tackle the issue. She said there needed to be a change of staff and co-curriculum in the BTN if it were to be taken seriously. “It never used to be like this, it was multiracial and fun. Everyone knows that since the late 1980s, it changed. “It cannot carry on the way it is at the present,” she told The Star Online on Saturday in response to allegations that an open letter by the G25 had resulted in pluralist and li

LONDON: Members of the G25 shocked the nation with their open letter to PM Najib Razak recently, but in London last month, it was the turn of the Malaysian diaspora, to receive a pleasant surprise. Noor Farida Ariffin, the most visible face of the G25 addressed them. Danny Quah, was the chairman of the talk. He is a Professor of Economics and International Development, and Director of the Saw Swee Hock South East Asian Centre of the London School of Economics (LSE). He said Farida’s talk was both “insightful” and “inspiring”. Farida reminded the audience of Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that Islam is the religion of the Federation, and said, “...nevertheless, all religions will

PETALING JAYA: A group of 25 influential Malays in society created a milestone of sorts when they published an open letter asking for a rational dialogue on the position of Islam and Islamic law in a constitutional democracy. The letter on Dec 8 last year created ripples in society and generated strong support, including from non-governmental organisations, and the public at large. Now the group has expanded from its initial 25 to 53, with prominent educationist, Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairperson Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim being one of the recent additions. Surprisingly though, Noor Azimah tells Theantdaily that she was initially hesitant about joining when she was asked as s