No directive yet to recall Malaysian students from West Asia, says deputy minister

KOTA SAMARAHAN (April 4): The federal government is actively monitoring the movements of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)-sponsored students studying in the West Asia region to ensure their safety amid the ongoing war, said deputy minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang.

Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan MP, said that as of now, Putrajaya has not issued any directive to bring Malaysian students home from the affected areas.

“Their studies are continuing as usual. This issue is not an easy matter,” she said when met while hosting the Kota Samarahan Ramah Mesra Aidilfitri event at the Civic Centre here.

“We are closely monitoring their safety and remain in constant contact with our offices and representatives, particularly in the West Asia region,” she added.

During the event, incentives were presented to straight-A students in recognition of their achievements in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination within the Kota Samarahan district.

Rubiah also noted that the district’s average school grade declined from 5.49 to 5.18 in the latest SPM results, but expressed optimism for improved performance in the coming year.

Also present were State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang, among other distinguished guests.

Touching on education, Abdul Karim, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, said that residents in the Kota Samarahan district have shown a significant positive shift in mindset over the years.

“In the 1970s and 1980s, one could count on their fingers the number of people who managed to enter university or graduate successfully,” he said.