Child:

Papa Mama, do you have time? I would like to discuss something with you two.

Papa, Mama:

Sure. Whats the matter?

Child:

I wish to further my studies abroad after SPM. I would love to have world-class tertiary
education, learn more about the culture of another country and improve my command of
English.

Papa:

Oh, great to know that you have a plan in your mind for life-after-SPM! I support your idea of
furthering studies abroad. But I just want to clarify you that the things you mentioned earlier
can also be achieved through our education system in Malaysia. Do you know that education
is one of the twelve National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) in our country Economic
Transformation Program (ETP)?

Child:

Economic Transformation Program, ETP? What is it about?

Papa:

Girl, thats why Papa always advised you to read more on newspapers, not just academic
books only. ETP is an initiative launched on September 21, 2010 by our government to turn
Malaysia into a high income country by the year 2020, achieve Gross National Income, GNI
per capita of at least US$15,000. The focused 12 NKEAs are composed of 11 key economic
sectors and 1 geographical area. The key areas identified are perceived to have the highest
impact on delivery of GNI, attracting investments and creating new jobs. A total of catalytic
and transformational 131 Entry Point Projects (EPPs) would be carried out across NKEAs,
with 60 Business Opportunities (BOs) being made available.

Child:

I see. But papa, what does it have to do with education?

Papa:

Be patient, girl. I am about to talk about it. One of the EPPs in the Education NKEA is
Championing Malaysias Education Brand. To improve cultural exchange and to attract
international talents, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) plays an active role in
enhancing Malaysias reputation as a regional education hub. EMGS has been actively
marketing and branding education in Malaysia to the world. In 2014, there are a number of
135,502 international students enrolled, with 27,812 post graduate students.
EduCity@Iskandar, an effort to transform Malaysia into a world-class education hub, has also
attracted international renowned universities to set up campuses, e.g. University of
Southampton at Iskandar, Johor. Girl, I think you will definitely have an amazing
international experience while studying in Malaysia with the increase number of foreign
students in Malaysia Higher Education Institutions.

Child:

Oh dad, you made me feel like going to study at EduCity@Iskandar. But as for private
colleges or universities, wouldnt that be expensive in terms of the tuition fees,
accommodation, etc? Will there be any financial assistance available?

Mama:

Girl, you dont have to worry about that. There will be financial assistance or the scholarships
that you may apply for, either from the universities, corporations, or even from the
government. You actually stand a high chance of securing the scholarship since you always
perform well at school and are active in extra-curricular activities. There are initiatives from
our government or agencies such as JPA and MARA in providing scholarships or bursaries, so
that the witty youths are encouraged to perform their best to prove that they are worthy to be
awarded. At the same time, the government would like to nurture young talents to be
professional and be specialized in various fields and later contribute to our nation

development in due time. If you are lucky enough and could shine brightly with the SPM
results, you might have your wish come true, being awarded a scholarship to study abroad for
your tertiary education.
Child:

Thanks mama. Will definitely do my best for SPM!

Talking about ETP, it just crossed my mind that our school principal mentioned it before this
during the Monday morning assembly. The revenues generated from ETP do benefit the
nation and the people especially in addressing the rakyat needs, for nation infrastructure
development, etc. One example would be the Government Transformation Program (GTP)
with the 6+1 National Key Results Areas (NKRAs).
Yea, and our principal also told us that our kampong, Kampung Luak is now equipped with
Pusat Internet 1Malaysia (PI1M) center and we are lucky too to be in the Kampung Tanpa
Wayar 1Malaysia Program. We could also apply affordably-priced Streamyx internet service
through TM now as we are now having better coverage and faster connectivity with the wellmaintained and the upgraded telecommunication tower. All these initiatives actually fall under
one of the NKEAs in ETP, Communications Content and Infrastructure, with the Entry Point
Project called Extending Reach targeted to non-urban and rural areas.

Mama:

Yup, did you two visit Ahmad Abu kedai runcit recently? Two days ago, I just went there and
I found out that it had a complete makeover. It is now modernized and well-organized. All
goods are properly segregated according to types, like the food section and the household
essentials section. I was amazed, and Ahmad Abu told me that he joined the TUKAR
Small Retailer Transformation Program, an EPP under NKEA Wholesale & Retail. Loan of
RM60,000 with a 15-year repayment period was granted; and he received professional advice
and guidance from the TUKAR agency. His sales turnover for the past week after renovation
increased 20%. What a huge transition!

Papa:

Papas oil palm plantation also benefited from the ETP program. EPPs are set up with the
purpose of Accelerating the Replanting and New Planting of Oil Palm and Improving
Fresh Fruit Bunch Yield. There are many cooperatives established that allow us the
smallholders to enjoy bulk discount in procuring agricultural inputs, such as feed, fertilizers,
crop chemicals and seedlings.

Papa:

Yea, by the way, I was informed by the Penghulu that government officers from Putrajaya
would come by this weekend to have an awareness campaign about the current policies at the
Balai Raya. Lets go there together to ask and learn more about the ETP. I would also like to
know how this program could benefit us, the rural residents.