By Nadia Sapuan
Pictures by Abd Raai Osman

BANGI, 31 March 2017 – Malaysia has achieved independence for almost 60 years and that is proof that Malaysia is on its path to become a developed nation.

Malaysia Deputy Health Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr Hilmi Haji Yahaya said to achieve the developed nation status, many developments in all aspects have been implemented, especially in education.

“In Malaysia we emphasize the educational aspects in which we give the opportunity to our children to get education.

“In addition, to encourage young people to pursue education, the government has provided them with facilities such as loans from the Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN),” he said at the Closing Ceremony of the Student Expression Carnival 2017 and the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between UKM and the Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia (YPNM), recently.

He also said the new policy that was introduced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the National Transformation 2050 (TN50), is one step towards achieving developed nation status.

“We are very concerned with the youth, therefore, through the TN50, we can sit down and talk with them about their views and thoughts on the future direction of the country, that they want,” he said.

He also advised not to easily believe in any issues that went viral on social media.

“Avoid wasting time by sharing and forwarding stories on social media if you are not sure of its credibility,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry and Community Partnership Prof Dato’ Dr Imran Ho Abdullah and YPNM Chairman, Brigadier General (R) Dato’ Husainay Hashim.