DEWAN NEGARA NEWS IN BRIEF: DEC 16

2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR RESTRUCTURING PLANNED - MOE

KUALA LUMPUR -- The restructuring of the 2026 Academic Calendar has been carried out in a planned and phased manner since the 2023/2024 session, while ensuring compliance with the minimum requirement of 190 schooling days as stipulated under the Education Act and related regulations.

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Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the process also considers adjustments to teaching and learning schedules, major examinations and school term holidays to ensure smooth school operations.

He said the ministry conducted extensive engagement sessions with State Education Departments, District Education Offices, school administrators and stakeholders, including the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), the Sarawak Teachers’ Union and the Sabah Government Teachers’ Union, to gather feedback and avoid disruptions.

“We are confident this decision will provide optimum benefits to students, teachers and the overall education ecosystem, and the ministry remains open to feedback from all stakeholders,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

Wong was responding to a question from Senator Tuan Michael Mujah Lihan on whether reverting the 2026 Academic Calendar to January would affect school operations and if studies had been conducted to assess its effectiveness.

-- BERNAMA

RACIAL, RELIGIOUS ISSUES RISE DURING ELECTION SEASON - KPN

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) has received index reports indicating an increase in unity-related issues involving race and religion, particularly during the election season.

Deputy Minister K. Saraswathy said the ministry has implemented various initiatives under the MADANI Framework to address the issue, including cooperation with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to remove related content from social media.

She urged political parties not to exploit racial and religious issues as political capital, warning that such practices could divide society and shape public perception along racial and religious lines.

“Political parties should instead focus on national development and constructive proposals during elections,” she said during an oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

Saraswathy was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Hussin Ismail on the measures taken to tackle unity issues linked to politicians.

-- BERNAMA