Plans to offer discounted 1Malaysia tablet computers to students will not involve government subsidies, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He explained that the manufacturer, MalTechPro, is one of the many participating companies for a soon-to-be-launched student discount card, and the discount would come from the company’s own coffers.

“It is up to them. Ten percent, twenty, or thirty. There would be no government money, and it is up to the students to buy what they like,” he said.

ismail sabri universiti malaya 161111 He said the government-issued discount card would be launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on June 26, and students would be able to use it to claim discounts from participating shops or merchants.

Unlike the 1Malaysia netbook program that started two years ago, Ismail Sabri said the government has no plans to purchase it for distribution to students.

“Anyone can offer their service with discounts, but for the government to buy it and give away to students, no. That is not our plan,” he said.

He had launched the 1Malaysia Pad on May 24, but it quickly drew criticism from netizens over complaints that it is overpriced compared to tablets of similar hardware, and ran on outdated software.

In addition, MalTechPro’s executive chairperson Sohaimi Shahadan was found to be an Umno Youth leader, leading to claims that it was a ‘crony project’.

He had admitted that he was an Umno member, but denied that he had been rent seeking.