SUNGAI BULOH: In a surprise announcement, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan has pledged to distribute 10,000 free bicycles to residents in his Sungai Buloh constituency to aid local mobility.
Speaking at an Outstanding SPM Students Contribution Programme here on Saturday (May 9), the Sungai Buloh MP made the impromptu pledge after noting the community's daily travel habits.
"I hadn't planned on announcing this earlier, but Datuk Shamir (HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz) mentioned bicycles. In Sungai Buloh, we travel around a lot within short distances.
"For example, those in Kubu Gajah usually move around within Kubu Gajah, and those in Subang Perdana stay within Subang Perdana.
"Help prepare a list for me. I will be giving out 10,000 free bicycles to the residents of Sungai Buloh," he said during his opening remarks at the event on May 9.
At a press conference later, Ramanan said the bicycles could arrive within three months.
“We are waiting for the orders to arrive and they will be distributed immediately,” he added.
At the same time, Ramanan said a total of 934 SPM who received 4As and above have received a contribution by him as Sungai Buloh MP.
A total of RM318,900 was allocated for that purpose.
“Last year, it was only for students with 7As and above. This year, those with 4As will receive it too,” he added.
Ramanan also urged school leavers to look beyond traditional academic pathways and embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as artificial intelligence (AI)..
He said success in the SPM examination is just the starting point towards shaping the nation’s future workforce.
Ramanan said the Human Resources Ministry introduced various initiatives to ensure students' potential translates into high-quality careers and broader social mobility.
"For instance, the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) under the Manpower Department provides TVET pathways that have become a top choice for youths, recording an impressive graduate employability rate of 95.5%," he said.
Ramanan said his ministry is aggressively pushing for tech-literacy through TalentCorp’s "Jelajah AI MyMahir" programme, which provides free, hands-on AI training to boost youth productivity in future workplaces.
To further support school leavers entering the job market, he highlighted the Social Security Organisation's (Perkeso) MYFutureJobs portal, which actively matches job seekers with employers and offers vital services such as career counselling and upskilling programmes.
Meanwhile, detailing his track record as Sungai Buloh MP, Ramanan shared that nearly RM2.9mil has been channelled to uplift local education and infrastructure since he took office.
This includes RM1.69mil allocated since 2023 to upgrade facilities at various schools and educational institutions to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment.
Additionally, over RM1.2mil in educational aid has been distributed to more than 4,000 residents since 2024. This encompasses Back to School assistance, Early Schooling aid, Higher Education assistance, and the People's Tuition Programme.
"Just last January, we distributed RM112,500 in 'Back to School' aid, comprising cash and school supplies, to 1,000 students in the constituency..
"My hope is not only to see our students pass with flying colours, but to see them become a generation capable of elevating their families, society, and the country to greater heights," he said.
