PETALING JAYA: The education ministry says it will probe an international school whose students’ presentation seen as critical of Malaysia’s palm oil industry triggered angry comments from Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.

Calling the presentation “anti-palm oil propaganda”, the ministry said the school had acted against national policies, adding that it could also tarnish the country’s image.

“The ministry will not compromise with any elements of propaganda and indoctrination in private education institutions which could tarnish the country’s image and reputation,” said the education ministry’s director-general Amin Senin.

Yesterday, Kok accused an international school in Kuala Lumpur of not supporting the government’s efforts to counter the anti-palm oil lobby, following a viral video clip showing students taking turns to speak out against the palm oil industry during a school concert.

She also said several international schools had not allowed her officers to give talks on the benefits of palm oil.

Her remarks drew criticism from activists who said schoolchildren should be allowed freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, the education ministry also warned other international schools against similar shows.

TRIPOLI: Satu serangan udara yang terkena sebuah pusat tahanan bagi migran tanpa dokumen berhampiran ibu negara Libya, Tripoli, menyebabkan sekurang-kurangnya 40 orang maut, lapor agensi berita Sputnik memetik laporan Reuters.

Menurut Reuters yang memetik kenyataan seorang pegawai kesihatan, sekurang-kurangnya 80 orang lagi cedera dalam serangan udara itu.

Butiran lanjut berkaitan insiden itu belum diketahui.

Sementara itu, seorang wakil perkhidmatan perubatan Tripoli mengesahkan pada Rabu bahawa serangan udara ke atas pusat tahanan bagi migran tanpa dokumen tersebut menyebabkan sekurang-kurangnya 40 orang maut dan 80 lagi cedera.

Akibat serangan udara di daerah Tajoura itu, 40 migran dari pelbagai negara Afrika terbunuh manakala 80 lagi cedera,” kata Malek Merset kepada Sputnik.

Beliau berkata perkhidmatan ambulans terus menyediakan bantuan yang diperlukan kepada mangsa yang cedera.

ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 3 — The Johor government wants consultation prior to any water tariff increases by the federal government, said State International Trade, Investment and Utility Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse.

He said this was important because water tariff increases were a sensitive issue in Johor.

“A consensus through meetings and briefings should include all stakeholders as it is important for the state government to justify any increase in water tariffs.

“The tariff structure depends on several factors such as the amount of government subsidies, services rendered to customers, service coverage, population density, landform and raw water quality,” said Puah.

The Bukit Batu assemblyman was replying to Hahasrin Hashim (BN-Panti) and Abd Taib Abd Bakar’s (BN-Machap) questions at the Johor state assembly in Kota Iskandar here today.

On Hahasrin’s supplementary question regarding the water tariff increase in Johor, Puah said the state government would not raise water tariffs and would instead try to reduce them.

Earlier this year, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar was reported to have said that water tariffs could be raised gradually this year in line with the government’s efforts to restructure the water supply services industry in the country.

Puah said in order to reduce the impact of tariff increases, the state government had taken several initiatives including federal loan payment to Putrajaya through lease rental scheme by Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) amounting to RM189.4 million for the rural water supply development project for the year 2000 and earlier.

“In addition to that, the state government is in the final stages of negotiations with Putrajaya to abolish the remaining balance of RM145 million in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the development of water infrastructure in the state.

“The state government also proposed that the federal government reconsider the rate of lease payments imposed on Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, which is lowered from 5 per cent to 3 per cent for assets acquired by PAAB,” said Puah.

He explained that the state government wanted some elements in the tariff structure to be reduced so as not to burden the community, but at the same time, ensuring the water supply industry develops positively.

Puah added that the state government also paid attention to the less fortunate by providing free water of up to 10 cubic metres to those eligible under the Below 40 Scheme (B40).

As of May last year, 162,557 water utility account holders in Johor enjoyed free treated water at a cost of RM6.5 million.

“For the hardcore poor, water operators in the state are implementing their corporate social responsibility by continuing the free water rebate of 25 cubic metres with a total of 1,113 recipients,” explained Puah.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Parliament could implement the proposed Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) when it reconvenes in October, Nga Kor Ming said today.

The deputy Speaker told reporters on the sidelines of the Dewan Rakyat sitting today that he was confident that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was more than able to face a grilling from lawmakers in the Lower House.

“I believe that our prime minister is very capable and he will be able to answer in full confidence. So, I think it might be (implemented) this year or the next Parliamentary session at the latest,” said Nga.

The proposed PMQT was scrapped by Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong on June 24.

Nga explained to reporters that the Parliamentary reforms, which was part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto, were an on-going process.

He pointed out that the special motion compelling federal lawmakers to declare their assets was part of the reform agenda.

“I believe the PMQT will be introduced when the time is right. Just wait for the right time,” said Nga.