Archive for April, 2009

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USM Munsyi test

April 17th, 2009
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Well, for those who got shortlisted for test – congrats!

I heard that its an objective type of questions and focuses on your apptitude/personality etc. Its basically to gauge if you are suitable for the course you applied for.

All the best!

Chance of getting: 3500/26,635 = 13%, meaning one out of every 7.6 person will get a place in USM.

Selection trial tomorrow for entry into USM

GEORGE TOWN: The 26,635 students who applied to enter apex-status Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) must not miss the Malaysian University Selection Inventory (Munsyl) special assessment test tomorrow.

USM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal said the test would enable them to select applicants who were suitable for the course they had opted for.

“Anyone who misses the test will miss a chance to study in USM. It’s just a one-hour test and it is to help the university and applicants make the right choice.”

He said USM had selected 117 locations nationwide for the applicants to attend the assessment tomorrow.

“Only 3,500 applicants will be picked to enrol in the university. The applicants will know their status at the end of this month.”

Prof Ahmad Shukri said unsuccessful applicants would have their applications submitted to the University Admission Unit (UPU) for other public universities.

He said those sitting for the Munsyl must print the attending slip from www.usm.my, bring their identification card, pencils and erasers to sit for the assessment.

“The location for them to sit the assessment can be found online,” he said, adding that the university had sent out SMSes to the candidates.

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Live interview with Dr S Subra

April 16th, 2009
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NST is doing a live interview with Human Resource Minister, Datuk Dr S Subra from 4 to 5pm.

Catch it at:

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/clive_html

10:13 [Standby] The host is placing this Live Event into Standby Mode.
2:11 [Standby] The host is placing this Live Event into Standby Mode.
3:38
 fauziahismail:  Good afternoon. Human Resources Minister Datuk S Subramaniam will join us at 4pm. You can post your questions and comments here for the minister to reply. Thank you.
3:57
 [Comment From Riley]
Datuk SS, Good afternoon. Good of you to join us in this chat. What is your take on the current economic situation. How badly affected are we in terms of the job market?
3:58
 fauziahismail:  Datuk S Subramaniam is here with us. He will take questions from our on-line readers,
4:04
 S Subramaniam:  From Oct last to end of Feb and middle of March, unemployment increased. To date, nearly 30,000 retrenched, of which 22,000 were locals. In the last month, the number of retrenchment tapering. I don’t know if this is temporary. The number of cases lesser. Overall, we are quite happy that he find jobs are being created too. During this period, the number of vacancies is 28,000 in various sectors. As for the job situation is concerned, if people not picky, they can get jobs.
4:04
 [Comment From PREITY]
Datuk, I read university students like me may not have a job after I graduated. What can I do?
4:07
 S Subramaniam:  i dont think you should be pessimistic. Some get jobs early. Some face difficulties. It is how you sharpened your skiils. We have introduced programmes in my ministry, Bank Negara and Mosti which provide training that come with offer for jobs. Try to get the first job you get. Experience is a factor. Sharpen your lingusitics and communications skills. Factors being looked into.
4:07
 [Comment From G.Rajasekaran]
Can YB comment on the following: YB Datuk announced 3 months ago that no new work permits for recruitment of foreign workers for manufacturing sector will be be issued. From the number of complaints received it appears that Licensed labour suppliers continue to ignore govt’s directive.
4:10
 Datuk S Subramaniam:  Hello Mr Rajasekaran. Delighted to receive a question from you in this forum. You very well know that we are committed towards reducing and abolishing outsourcing agencies, We want to evolve a system where our supply of labour will be on supply-demand. That is where we want to move.
4:10
 [Comment From G.Rajasekaran]
Can YB Comment on the following:the situation is made worse by Imigration authorities’ practices which do not seem to recognize HR minister’s effort to safeguard local workers.
4:14
 S. Subramaniam:  we have formed a joint committee called jawatan kuasa teknical antara agensi chaired by KSU, where members of Home Affairs and others sit together. We are trying to coordinate this well. We have good results from the initial meetings and i hope this lack of understanding you are talking about can be reduced and overcome as time goes by
4:14
 [Comment From Guest]
Good Afternoon Datuk, many company are not paying our salaries for 2 to 3 month now
4:14
 [Comment From Jenny]
Gd Afternoon Datuk! Many of us are still awaiting our salaries for the past 2 months and end of April will be 3 months without salaries. Recruitement is still on-going. How can we be helped in situations like these?
4:16
 [Comment From Confused]
I heard that your ministry helds the Job Placement Day. I am one of the job seeker. I am confused. How is the result?
4:16
 S. Subramaniam:  You can bring this matter to Labour department and if the company is still active, we will take necessary steps to ensure that   the payment which is rightfully yours is paid. If they failed to do so, the department can take action against the employer
4:17
 S. Subramaniam:  The above answer is for Jenny
4:19
 S. Subramaniam:  Confused, we do have job placements twice a month on a regional basis and once a month on a national basis and so far the number of people who attend these functions are encouraging. We have been successful with 5,000 getting jobs, and we will continue. A wonderful place for employers and we are trying to get more employers to join in. Apart from recruitment, we also recruit people for training programme
4:19
 [Comment From uma]
congratulations ,datuk,you are indeed doing a very good job,by introducing and implementing many programmes to cushion the effect of the current economic crisis, but in your view, how long do you think it will take to come back to normalcy,atleast in Malaysia.
4:21
 [Comment From Job seeker]
I heard that there will be a Kiosk for the convenience for the job seekers located in Tawau?
4:22
 S. Subramaniam:  Uma, A it of good news. The economy is not detetriorating as it was thought.. that second half of the year, it will   recover We may go back to normal by middle of next year. Situation here is not so bad and with so many programmes, we have seen some effects. We are monitoring situation and will take appropriate action as and when necessary
4:24
 S. Subramaniam:  Jobseeker, yes our JobsMalaysia, our job matching portal is going to be upgraded and given a corporate image and we are going to have job placement centres in 109 places throughout the country out of which 22 of them will be in public places, like shopping complexes and us stations. A proposal to have it in Tawau, a public place. That will provide you opportunities ad you should utilise the facilities and you can find suitable jobs and to be linked to suitable employers.
4:25
 [Comment From Poobalan]
Dear Dr, as the recession is expected to last till year end at least, are there any contingency plans to provide monetary aid for the retrenched or unemployed, in addition to providing re-skilling or retraining options?
4:28
 [Comment From Calvin]
Datuk, you talked about us grads getting soft skills and getting any job available… but so many grads are fighting for so few jobs, how-la?
4:28
 S. Subramaniam:  Poobalan, our monetary aid to be given to retrenched and whose income has been reduceddue to layoffs, will be given additonal income through assisted training programme. For example, for the trained and place programmea trainie will be given RM500 to 800 a month. Those who have been working half the normal time, will be allowed to attend training with allowance. We are also facilitating industry who are facing economic problem to ensure 1 to prevent retrenchment and 2, to increase income of workers
4:31
 [Comment From KFTANG]
Datuk, for those workers retrenched, have they been compensated adequately by their employers?
4:31
 S. Subramaniam:  Calvin,   our present programme for graduate employeesis targeted to help 7 – 8000 graduates. Aparrt from that, similar prog are available by Bank Negara , Khazanah and Ministry of Higher Education and MDec. You can utilise all these available.
4:33
 [Comment From kelvin]
my boss plans to have 4-day week and asks us to take 20% pay cut… can he do that? we are making pewter items.
4:34
 S. Subramaniam:  Kftang, except in sitaution when the company has been wound up and under OA, in all other situation, compensation must be paid. And if there is compensation, workers can report to us so that we cAN Take remedial action to date, AMONG THE 22,000 local s who have been retrenched, none has complained they are not paid. About 6,900 have been terminated via VSS and have been compensated
4:36
 S. Subramaniam:  Kelvin, your boss has the right to reschedule working time. That;s his prerogative. But before he does that, he has to inform the labour Department and get their consent before implementing all these.
the departmtrent will ensure there are legitimate reasons for any changes in the normal working system within the agency.   the employer msut also contact employees before this can be implemented
4:36
 [Comment From KFTANG]
Are our unemployed workers prepared to work in the plantation and building sectors formerly shunned by them?
4:38
 S. Subramaniam:  KFTANG, Unfortunately no.   We have very aggressively campaigned f r this, we are trying to improve lives and condition   in plantations to ATTRACT LOCAL WORKERS but still the number of local workers wanting to take part is not encouraging. We have suggested to Mapa to identify new methods by improving local involvement with better salary, working condition and this is an ongoing process
4:38
 [Comment From Reddy]
Datuk, it looks like the trend is that the lower-incomegroup is affected more by retrenchment at the moment. Will higher income group also be affected?
4:40
 [Comment From Shaharuddin M Saaid]
YB Datuk Subramanian. Many say that local companies hiring foreign workers bucasue it is cheaper but actually it is not true. Many companies esp hotels say that locals are not keen/do not want menial jobs much teh 3D jobs and many do not stay on the job for long. On the other hand an employer is assured of the service of contracted foreign worker for at least 2 years and they are reliable and put much efforts/interest in their job. I suggest we should tackle/handle employment issue which locals are not keen to take up.
4:40
 S. Subramaniam:  Reddy, Amon g the retrenched, the highest number is operator, machinist level followed by those in the technician level. You might want to know among these 22,000, about 4,800 professionals and managerial capacity are affected.
4:43
 [Comment From Retrenched]
Dear YB Datuk, I was recently retrenched and was paid RM15,000 retrenchment benefits for every year of service. I am so sad that my retrenchment benefits was not given full tax relief especially when I know that I will not be able to land another job due to may age factor. Can you assist me to get full tax relief?
4:43
 S. Subramaniam:  Shaharuddin, I agree with you. In hospitality industry, we are doing aggresssive campaign and recently in langkawi, a plilot programme, we trained 110 in a one month course, and 90 of them have been absorbed. We have expanded this in other states with the cooperationm of other bodies, we are aggresively training people with skills in hospitality,. this is an opportunity for locals
4:46
 [Comment From R.Rajeswari]
YB What is the status of minimum wage for the security guard?
4:46
 S. Subramaniam:  Retrenched, if only I could. But the second economic package allows for full tax relief for the 1st RM10,000 received as compensation. Please try your best to get another job. Need help? Come and see us
4:47

Expand
4:49
 [Comment From siti]
Are there any vacancies in your ministry?
4:49
 S. Subramaniam:  Rajeswari, We are in the process of finalising a minimum wage for security guard through the wages council mechanism . And a good announcement will be made within the next two months.
4:51
 S. Subramaniam:  Siti, we have 28,000 jobs registered in the job portal which is managed by my ministry. if you want to work within my ministry itself, unfortunately the power of apppointment is with the SPA and not with me
4:51
 [Comment From Lecturer]
Gd evening Datuk, can you comment on the following:
4:52
 [Comment From Lecturer]
Gd evening Datuk, can you comment on the following: Our employment contract says 20 hours teaching period per week as per MQA guideline. But employer force to teach more with just verbal promise of overtime pay. What should the employees do?
4:53
 S. Subramaniam:  Lecturer, you can come to the Labour Department and our officers will help you. If you work more than your contractual hours, you should be renumerated as per your contract.
4:53
 [Comment From Najee]
YB Datuk: Any figures on Malaysian workers in Singapore that have been retrenched and from which sector in particular?
4:55
 S. Subramaniam:  Najee, We tried hard to get these figures but unfortunately those retrenched do not report to us or the labour attache in Singapore or to our labour department. Your guess is good as mine.
4:55
 [Comment From oh yeah baby]
Dear YB Datuk, is there a possibility of another stimulus plan?
4:57
 S. Subramaniam:  Oh yeah baby, it all depends. If there is a real need the government might introduce another package
4:57
 [Comment From Chris Wang]
Dear YB, thanks for taking time out to chat with us. is there a levy going to be imposed on foreign workers starting in May 1st?i heard my Myanmarese friend say he is returning next month bcos he cannot afford the Rm3k + levy.
4:59
 S. Subramaniam:  Chris Wang, there has been a big hoo haa about this. We have had memorandums from various sectors. So the govt has temporarily withheld implementation of the levy increase to allow further consultation and dialogues with the various trade agencies. I will be meeting them soon and we will try to chart a strategy in realising the government’s intentions to reduce dependency on foreign labour
4:59
 [Comment From Najee]
YB Datuk: Do you have a blog?
5:05
 S. Subramaniam:  Najee. this will be the last question I will take.   I used to maintain my own blog when i had more time to myself. Now due to work consideration I find it difficult to maintain my own blog. I prefer not to allow others to maintain blogs for me. however, my ministry has a very comprehensive website with interactive facilities and we maintain a lot of communication through emails which are very readily responded to. My email address is s.subra@mohr.gov.my.
As a concluding remark for thsoe looking for and advertising jobs, please contact www.jobsmalaysia.gov.my.
Thank You
5:05
 Datuk S Subramaniam:  Thank you Datuk S Subramaniam for spending time with us on NSTLive. We hope to have Datuk again soon to field more questions from our on-line readers. Thank you to all on-line readers who have participated in this chat.
5:06 [Standby] The host is placing this Live Event into Standby Mode.

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election in Penang

April 16th, 2009
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ex-DCM Fairuz quits his state assemblyman post, thus there will be a by-election for the state seat of Penanti in Penang.

Read in MK, Star or NST.

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lecturer forced to resign

April 16th, 2009
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Well, “sympathy marks”, “marks for attendance”, “make-up tests/assignments”, “remarking” etc  is quite common to pump up the marks. Which college/uni would like to be known as the place that fails students? Even students ask about passing rates before taking up courses.  Some even admit that they enrol in certain colleges because easy to graduate.

Lecturers also will have to face the students next semester if they fail this semester. So, why waste time failing students, just pass them with minimum marks and send them off.

In the end, students want a scroll. College want money. Staff want salary.

But, if only 4 out 157 students passed as in the case below, then something seriously wrong. I have friends and contacts in education industry, but yet to hear of such poor passing rates from any of them.  Its possible that the lecturer set too high a standard, or the quality of students are very poor. Being an Islamic university, attendance or discipline should not been an issue.

A UNIVERSITI Sains Islam Malaysia lecturer who passed only four out of 157 of her law students claims she was forced to resign so that the university could protect its reputation, Kosmo! reported.

Nor (not her real name) said the reason she left was because she could not stand the pressure from the university management on her to give “sympathy marks.”

“How am I to give extra marks if the marks they got is what they should be getting?” she said, adding that her downfall started when she received a show-cause letter on why so many students had failed.

She was then criticised by her superiors, who also wanted her to add marks based on attendance so as to reduce the number of failures.

“I stood my ground. How could I give them marks for that when it is their responsibility to show up for classes?” she added.

The university declined to comment.

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New office of Biro Pengaduan Awam

April 16th, 2009
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Well, this is indeed a good move by BPA. I think T. Murugiah will have a bright future if continue to do good moves like this.

PCB office is being set up in KL and the public is invited to attend every Tuesday from morning 9am. There will be meals served as well for those coming from outstation! It seems the office in Putrajaya is very inconvenient for the public as it is costly and time consuming to travel there.

The new office will be open from 21st April and the address is:

Pusat Kegiatan Kemas Wilayah Persekutuan is located at Lot 48565 Jalan 2/12D, Kg. Seri Batu, Batu 4 1/2, 51200 Kuala Lumpur.

For details, call 03-6251 0218.

map of venue:

pcb-office-kl

According to NST:

The Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) has introduced an “instant problem-solving system” to handle public issues in a more organised and efficient manner.

The bureau under the Prime Minister’s Department has pledged to look into public complaints of all sorts every Tuesday.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator T. Murugiah said a complainant could expect his issues to be settled between one and five working days.

The bureau has been moved from Putrajaya to the Kemas Community Centre at Kg Sri Batu, Jalan Ipoh for easier access.

“We will start our meetings at 9am every Tuesday and will not stop until we have seen each complainant through his or her problem, even if it drags on till midnight.”

“We welcome any issues ranging from drainage to abandoned housing projects to citizenship issues but do not come to us if you are expecting a solution to financial problems,” said Murugiah, adding that the PCB will not entertain debt problems, including those relating to loan sharks.

The PCB managed to solve 90 per cent of the 8,066 complaints lodged last year.

It had seen a maximum of 300 people a day.

Types of complaints lodged include delay in action, lack of public amenities, poor implementation of policies and law, abuse of power, misconduct of public officials, failure of enforcement and poor service quality.

Murugiah expects the number of complainants visiting the bureau to increase because of the relocation.

“We will see each one of them. There will be a waiting room and rest area for those coming from out of state. Meals will also be provided.”

The Star provided more info:

FOR better accessibility and convenience, the venue for the Public Complaints Bureau’s (BPA) public meeting sessions has been changed from Putrajaya to Kuala Lumpur.

The weekly meeting that takes place every Tuesday will now be held at Pusat Kegiatan Kemas Wilayah Persekutuan in Kg. Seri Batu, Jalan Sentul.

The sessions, which will begin at the new location on April 21, are based on a new system called “Instant Problem Solving System.”

Breakfast, lunch and tea will also be provided during the meet.

Public Complaints Bureau chairman Senator T. Murugiah said through the system, public meeting sessions would have a representative from every ministry and government agencies to make problem solving easier and faster.

He added that the change in venue was to make it more convenient for the public.

“This way, more people will come forward and voice out their problems. With the presence of representatives from agencies and ministries, we can solve problems faster and more efficiently.

“We have received about 300 cases in a day’s meeting. With the change in location, we can expect more,” he said.

Currently, most public complaints are related to local councils, drainage and road works, abandoned projects and the registration department.

Murugiah, however, discouraged those with financial problems to attend the sessions.

“Complaints bureau is a place for those who are unhappy about certain things to do with the government. They can come forward and complain and we will try to do the necessary.

“It is not a place to seek financial aid,” he said.

Pusat Kegiatan Kemas Wilayah Persekutuan is located at Lot 48565 Jalan 2/12D, Kg. Seri Batu, Batu 4 1/2, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. For details, call 03-6251 0218.

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