No specific directive telling Kemas preschools to hold convocation ceremonies at hotels, says Deputy Minister

Rubiah (centre) speaking at a press conference after the launch of 'Mini Karnival Usahawan Desa (KUD)' by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Kota Samarahan on Feb 2, 2024.

KUCHING, Feb 2: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and its agency, Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS), have clarified that there was no official directive saying that kindergarten convocation ceremonies were to be held in hotels.

Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang emphasised that any such events must be organised at the grassroots level by the kindergarten committees, without written instruction from the ministry or KEMAS.

Responding to queries from reporters after the launch of the ‘Mini Karnival Usahawan Desa (KUD)’ by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kota Samarahan, Rubiah stated, “There is no instruction from the ministry or Kemas to hold such a convocation ceremony event at the hotel.”

While acknowledging that local kindergarten management committees may have good intentions in recognising student achievements, Rubiah reiterated that official guidelines did not endorse holding convocation ceremonies in hotels.

Rubiah emphasised recent directives from the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary General of KKDW, stressing that such programs should be organised at the local level exclusively.

Meanwhile, Kemas Director-General Datuk Ahmad Kamal Idris Mohd Nawawi clarified that while their headquarters provided guidelines for organising convocation ceremonies, these guidelines emphasised simplicity and avoiding burdens on parents.

He noted that there were no specific allocations provided by KEMAS for such ceremonies, reaffirming the stance communicated by the KKDW minister during previous meetings. — DayakDaily