The opposition has accused the government of using the distribution of the RM100 in students’ aid given to all Malaysians for their own political mileage, by directing certain BN elected representatives or leaders to be at the schools to hand out the cash gifts.

Opposition leaders said such actions showed that the government was dishonest, as they have used the aid, drawn from public funds, for their own political mileage and with political motives.

NONE “This shows that the money concerned isn’t aimed at helping students or their families, but more for political interests, by trying to show the public that the giver (of the aid) is Umno or BN,” said PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar ( left ).

As proof the opposition pointed to a directive in a letter from the of the Education Ministry Rosli Mohamed dated Nov 11, sent to various levels of school administrators including all the directors of the state education departments (JPN).

The letter, they say, states that in a cabinet meeting on Oct 28, it was decided that people’s representatives or “elected reps of the federal government” were required to help give out the aid, as it was a “touch point” of the government to the rakyat.

“In this regard, all JPN has to take immediate action on the decision, and ensure the distribution of the aid is being organised by the schools in order to fulfil the government’s intentions,” read the letter.

During his 2012 Budget speech in October Prime Minister Najib Razak announced RM 550 million will be given to all students or RM100 per student to help alleviate their burden.

‘Ministry a political tool’

PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution meanwhile blasted Rosli for being “unprofesional” in “using the ministry as a political tool”.

Both he and Mahfuz said Rosli’s actions clearly violated the code of ethics for civil servants, who should remain apolitical.

“To me, this matter (of disbursing the aid) should be left to the schools. It’s as if there is no trust,” said Mahfuz, adding that the directive was an “insult”.

"This is an insult. KSU give a bad image, kind of no confidence in the government sector, "said Mahfuz.