KUANTAN: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry are closely monitoring the health progress of Mara-sponsored students in China following the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
Its minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the ministry had been in talks with the Malaysian Embassy in China to check on the students, including those studying in Beijing.
She said there were two final year Malaysian students in Beijing Foreign Studies University.
“The ministry has been in close contact with the students for updates on their condition, which they have been providing us with consistent updates. We do not have many students in China compared to South Korea and Japan.
“If the students plan to return to Malaysia, then they will be required to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Health Ministry.
“The health guidelines includes monitoring their health conditions and isolating them if required," she told reporters after presenting Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP) appointment letters to Pahang MPKKP members in Gambang here today.
Rina said to date, the ministry has yet to receive any request from its Mara-sponsored students to return home or to postpone their studies.
On MPKKP, Rina said it would serve as the official platform to ensure the people receive accurate information on government policies.
A total of 276 MPKKP members from Pahang received their appointment letters whereby each village would be represented by 13 council members.
She said the new MPKKP councils set up in Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sarawak would serve as the “agents of change in disseminating accurate information”.
“A three-day induction course will be held for MPKKP members to explain their roles and how they can help uplift the community.
“The activity includes entrepreneurship programmes, strengthening of administration at the community level.
“Each village has its profile. MPKKP will coordinate the programmes and identify how the respective village can excel,” she said, adding that the MPKKP would be also entitled to receive federal grants.
Rina assured that there would not be overlapping of duties between MPKKP and the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) especially in Pahang, where Barisan Nasional government had chosen to maintain the latter.
“We are committed to improving our services to serve the people and channel information to help the grassroots level of the society regardless of their political beliefs.
“This is a channel for them to hear what is happening under the federal government,” she said.