KUALA LUMPUR,
MALAYSIA -�Media OutReach�- 25 February 2019 -�The 'BEST' Project, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative
partnership between Direct English Malaysia and PINTAR Foundation, moved into
Phase 2 earlier this month. �

L-R : Pn Rozita Bt Kamarudin (Senior Assistant, SMK Kiaramas), Datin Seri Maneesah Ahmad (Director, Melewar Learning Resources), Tunku Dato' Seri (Dr) Iskandar B. Tunku Abdullah (Group Executive Chairman, Melewar Group), Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Arshad Ayub (Chairman, Board of Trustees, PINTAR Foundation), Tuan Aidie B. Jantan (Director, Fully Residential and Excellence Schools Management Division, Ministry of Education) and Pn. Norizan Bt. Daud (Principal, SMK Kiaramas)

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'BEST'
(Be an Excellent Student) will
benefit 100 Form 4 & 5 students from SMK Kiaramas from now until the end of
the 2019 school year. Phase 1 was launched in August 2018 and has already
benefitted 50 students of the school. The programme will be fully completed in
November 2020.

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Phase
2 will see 100 students completing a course based on their proficiency and skill
level. The intervention programme aims to improve the overall English
proficiency of participating students, helping them excel in their English SPM
examination. It will include an English Placement Test, tutorial classes,
Direct English Learning Packs and Direct English certification which form the
integral part of the Direct English Learning System.

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"We
realise the importance of the English language in the global community, and
believe the 'BEST' Project will better equip our youth to face the increasingly
international outlook of the 21^st century," said PINTAR Foundation
Board of Trustees Chairman, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Arshad Ayub, at last
year's launch. "We want to encourage interest, confidence, mastery, and
ultimately a love for the English language," he added.

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Direct
English, under Melewar Learning Resources Sdn Bhd, is fully funding the
project, and has committed a total sponsorship value of RM525,000. "The 'BEST' project
epitomizes the commitment of The Melewar Group, through its company Melewar
Learning Resources and Direct English of the UK, to play its role and to
contribute towards the realisation of the many goals of the Ministry of
Education and the Government of Malaysia to uplift the English proficiency and
competency level among the students," said Group Executive Chairman of Melewar
Group, Tunku Dato' Seri (Dr) Iskandar Bin Tunku Abdullah.

Tuan
Aidie B. Jantan, Director of Fully Residential and Excellence Schools
Management Division, Ministry of Education (representing the Deputy Director
General of Education Malaysia at last year's launch), acknowledged the
significant contribution of Direct English: "This partnership between the
Melewar Group (Melewar Learning Resources) and PINTAR Foundation plays a huge
role towards realising the nation's aspirations to develop a globally
competitive, knowledge-based society and to achieve strong economic growth.
And, I hope more companies out there will emulate these exemplary efforts," he
noted.

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Besides
the tested and proven Direct English Learning System to be embraced in 'BEST',
there will be new initiatives introduced in the Phase 2 project delivery at SMK
Kiaramas. This include the incorporation of the 21st Century Learning Skills in
'BEST' classrooms and the introduction of other new features such as 'BEST'
Conversation Class by native English speakers, 'BEST' Speakers' Corner, 'BEST'
debate team and 'BEST' study tours to enhance students' overall 'BEST'
experience.

ABOUT DIRECT ENGLISH

Direct
English, which is part of the globally renowned Linguaphone Group, UK, is
reputed to be one of the most effective English language programmes today. The
programme is based on a unique learning system developed by the internationally
acclaimed education authority on English language, Louis Alexander. In Malaysia
and around the region, Melewar Learning Resources is at the forefront of
delivering English language training through Direct English. Thousands of
learners, from university students to young professionals to corporate
executives, from absolute beginners to advanced learners, have since benefited
from the trainings conducted by Melewar Learning Resources / Direct English.

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For any
enquiries, please contact Mr Philip Lim,
General Manager, at [email protected]
or call 03 -- 2070 1800. You can visit www.directenglish.com.my for
more information on Direct English courses.

ABOUT PINTAR FOUNDATION

PINTAR
Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, with a vision to inspire the young
generation to become responsible citizens through the three key tenets of
Promoting Intelligence, Nurturing Talent and Advocating Responsibility (acronym
of PINTAR). PINTAR Foundation was formed in 2008 to spearhead the
implementation of the PINTAR Programme, which is a social responsibility
initiative mooted by Khazanah Nasional Berhad. Working in partnership with
GLCs, private corporations, partner NGOs and the Government, PINTAR Foundation
strives to build human capital by reaching out to Malaysian children in
underprivileged communities through its PINTAR Programme, a school adoption
programme, which seeks to improve the educational outcomes of students from
underperforming schools throughout the country.

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For media
enquiries, kindly contact Mas Elati Samani (Senior Officer, Communications) at 017-3185854 or 03-2268 0000,
or email [email protected].
Alternatively, please visit www.mypintar.com.my to find out
more about PINTAR Foundation.