MCA Youth extends our congratulations to YB Adam Adli on his appointment as Deputy Higher Education Minister. We hope he will make the best use of this opportunity to genuinely champion the rightful interests of students, particularly with regard to the policy issues of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), which have long been a subject of debates.
At present, the policy does not allow first-class graduates from private higher education institutions (IPTS) to enjoy exemptions from PTPTN loan repayments. This is clearly unfair and greatly disadvantages outstanding IPTS students.
Not only does this policy create dissatisfaction among students and parents, it undermines students’ motivation to study diligently, and denies many children from poor families the opportunity to change their lives through education and to obtain a ‘second chance’.
It must be emphasised that IPTS students are also national talents; their academic programmes are regulated and recognised by the Higher Education Ministry, and the efforts they put into their studies are no less than that of students at public universities. However, the government appears to differentiate its treatment in PTPTN exemption policies. This surely exacerbates social injustice and contradicts the fundamental principles of fair and inclusive education.
Previously, Adam as a leader of the student movement, was outspoken in advocating the abolition of PTPTN loans, exemptions from PTPTN loan repayments, and for free university education. He is a political leader who understands the intricacies of this issue very well. As such, the public places higher expectations on his performance at the Higher Education Ministry, as he is believed to better understand the pressures and real difficulties borne by students as a result of education loans.
He must also take pragmatic action by prioritising a review and correction of unreasonable policies that deny PTPTN exemptions to first-class IPTS graduates, in order to fight for fair treatment for students, rather than allowing this unjust policy to persist and give rise to further dissatisfaction and disappointment.
It is hoped that the new Deputy Higher Education Minister will not repeat the mistakes of certain Ministers and Deputy Ministers from DAP who merely manipulated education loan issues during elections to stir emotions, mislead the public and gain votes, only to evade fulfilling their promises after the elections. The rakyat do not want mere slogans, but policies and actions that truly change the circumstances of students.
Education shapes the future of the nation, and the leadership of the Higher Education Ministry must prioritise students’ welfare.
MCA Youth will continue to monitor and pay close attention to developments in related policies, and looks forward to the new Deputy Minister proving through action that he has not forgotten his original intention to speak up on behalf of students.
If Adam Adli today is able to fulfil his past promises within the framework of the existing system, genuinely ease students’ burdens and correct unjust policies, that would certainly be a positive measure, and indeed an important step in the reform of the nation’s higher education.
Ong Chee Siang
MCA Youth Education Consultative Committee Chairman
