With less graft, M'sia can invest on education
YOURSAY 'Yes, it's possible to provide free education if the financial leakages can be plugged. After all, education is the primal right of every citizen.'
Students defy quit order, staying put at Dataran
PS:
First, I take it that these 30 or so brave souls tested whether 1Malaysia isn't just a pipe dream to freedom of peaceful assembly.
Secondly, the students probably represent the silent majority of undergraduates (especially the poorer brethren) who can only dream of pursuing an education without thinking of the next meal. Furthermore, financial assistance has not been dished out on a level-playing field.
Yes, it's possible to provide free education if the financial leakages can be plugged, after all education is the primal right of every citizen. Shouldn't the government of the day prioritise human and skill development over mega-projects?
Lastly, it appears that the current crop of undergraduates are given a shot of adrenalin to express their thoughts with vigour, much like their brethren around the world today.
Anonymous_3e2c: If you don't like the loan, why take it? Who said it's your right to have free education. Taking into account the quality of graduates, it's just a waste of money to give them loans in the first place.
No one forced you to take the loan. Others can pay for their children's education overseas and make sacrifices to ensure their children are educated either locally or overseas, but these local graduates want free education and are of low caliber at the same time.
I do not understand their stand. I want free housing loan, or better still, wipe out my housing loan. It's the same different thing.
Rakyat Malaysia: Brunei, Norway and other countries in Europe has been giving free education to local and foreign students because the money from taxpayers and income of the country has been managed properly.
Why we have to pay for everything here in Malaysia is because we need to feed the corrupted BN government. It is just plain simple. With lesser corruption, more money can be used for the rakyat.
Everyone says Pakatan Rakyat will bankrupt the nation. Just plucking things from the thin air does not proof anything.
Borg Kinaulu: I don't agree with free tertiary education for all. I also don't agree with scholarships for sons of the politically well-connected.
But I do agree with the rights of the students to demand, to protest or to do sit-in, including and especially in Dataran Merdeka.
Anonymous_40c8: These are courageous students who stand fast in the face of danger. They deserve our support and admiration.
Changeagent: I am all for the right to assembly. I also think that all Malaysians should have a right to free or at least, heavily-subsidised higher education.
Don't get me wrong, but I really don't agree with the idea of setting up tents or other type of structures in public spaces.
Nil: Let the students be. After all, they want to sit in and camp at the grounds of Dataran Merdeka. They are not doing anyone harm. Let the people judge whether what they are doing is right or wrong.
They are just sending a message to the authorities, who should take note of their demands despite that not everyone agrees with them. As for the police and City Hall officers, ensure that the students are safe.
Ericlcc: Yes, the students should fight on, for their generation's wealth and resources have been milked dry by the current Umno generation.
Students not only have PTPTN loans, they may also have to pay huge taxes to settle the mega-loans taken by Umno today.
Umno and their cronies have huge bank reserves to sustain them for at least two generations with their corrupting ways, but ordinary people have nothing but a huge headache on living day-to-day.
Anonymous_5fb: Mariam Mokhtar's write-up, 'When Malay silence is not golden' comes in the right time.
These Malay students aren't silent. They voice up. This is our right as enshrined in the constitution.
Anonymous #18452573: All I can say is most of the rakyat are proud of you.
Proud of you because many of us commentators and those who read Malaysiakini or support the opposition do not have the same courage to stand tall like the way you true patriots have been willing to do.
But know that we will do our part by voting for a new government that will hopefully deliver the change and improvement you seek.
Hmmmmmmmm: I am waiting for MCA to advise that the concert be held elsewhere as this will disrupt traffic and affect business nearby.
Green Mutant: Dataran Merdeka is our Tahrir Square. Long live freedom and democracy.
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