English level in Malaysia not that high yet, say teachers (TheStar)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is still some way off before it can reach an internationally accepted level of English proficiency, according to the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta).
Referring to Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan’s comments that Malaysians’ grasp of the English language was better than Singaporeans, Melta president Assoc Prof Dr Ganakumaran Subramaniam said statistics provided in the Malaysian Education Blueprint showed otherwise.

Other documents released by the ministry and government agencies also showed the proficiency level was not there yet, he said.

He disagreed with the English Proficiency Index by Sweden-based EF Education First, which Kamalanathan cited during a conference on Saturday.

Kamalanathan’s remarks drew flak on social media, with people accusing the ministry of resorting to inaccurate surveys.

“These type of surveys often have business and marketing agendas. If the ministry wants to know the truth, it should commission an independent and professional organisation to undertake a full-scale study on the quality of English among Malaysians of all levels and age groups,” said Dr Ganakumaran.

Universiti Malaya lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Sharmini Patricia Gabriel concurred, saying lecturers had found they could not teach at the level they used to.

“We find that we are not able to teach students critically and creatively like we used to, as their command of the language is limited.

“I have been lecturing since 1990 and I definitely see students coming in with lower proficiency,” said Dr Sharmini, who teaches English Literature.
She also doubted Kamalanathan’s comparison, saying the approach of both countries towards the language made all the difference.

“Singapore uses English as one of its official languages. Here in Malaysia, it is taught as the second or foreign language. People still look at it as an alien language,” she said.

Malaysia wants regional push against wildlife trafficking (TheStar)

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia is setting the groundwork for an Asean push against wildlife trafficking during its tenure as chairman of the regional grouping.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said international collaboration was needed in tackling the trafficking of endangered and protected wildlife, which had become increa­singly linked to other illegal activities affecting security and stability.

“This is not a problem impacting just one country or region. It is a global scourge,” he said after launching the first Asean workshop on combating wildlife trafficking at Tuaran near here yesterday.
The three-day meeting, he said, was the first of its kind under the Asean Regional Forum – Asia’s biggest security gathering – and would provide for sustained political support in tackling wildlife trafficking.

It is also among seven initiatives that Malaysia is co-hosting to address non-traditional security challenges affecting the region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster response as well as combating terrorism and extremism.

“We need to collaborate. One country increasing its assets in tackling this problem is not enough.
“This forum brings experts together. We want them to tell us what needs to be done,” added Anifah.
On Chief Judge of Borneo Tan Sri Richard Malanjum’s suggestion for stiffer penalties against poachers and wildlife traffickers, Anifah said he agreed with it.

“But at the same time, we have to recognise that despite harsh penalties such as the death sentence for drug trafficking, the problem still persists. We need to tackle this comprehensively,” he said.
This was the first such forum, said Anifah, that Malaysia was collaborating with the United States, which was represented by its Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment Catherine Novelli.

Also present was US Ambassador Joseph Yun.

Malaysia Airlines to charge customers 6% GST (TheStar)

 Monday, 30 March 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines’ customers will be charged the 6% Goods & Services Tax (GST) on applicable goods and services supplied by the national carrier when it comes into effect on April 1.

Malaysia Airlines said on Monday this implementation adhered to the government’s announcement during the tabling of its Budget 2014 on Oct 25, 2013.  

“The GST, however, will be replacing the company’s existing Sales Tax and Service Tax,” it said. 

Malaysia Airlines said to be fully compliant, it would enhanceits tax invoices issued to customers to enable them to claim GST with input tax credits, where entitled.

For more information, please visit: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/footer/goods-and-services-tax.html and refer to Malaysia Airlines’ GST Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).