In conjunction with the Global Week of Action to Reclaim Education, a group of students today staged a protest to demand free education from Malaysia government.

Gerakan Menuntut Pendidikan Percuma (GMPP) led by coordinator Bawani KS, first gathered in front of Masjid Al-Syakirin KLCC,  before marching towards KLCC.

The group of more than 10 people shouted "Urge for free education" and held placards of ‘Stop cutting our future’, ‘Education is not commodity’, ‘Free education now’ and ‘Education is a right’.

Also present was Khairul Najib, president of Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam University Malaya.

This protest was endorsed by student organizations, among others, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM), Malaysia Youth & Student Democratic Movement (DEMA), Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam SeMalaysia (GAMUS), Gagasan Mahasiswa UITM Semalaysia (GAMUS) and PSM Youth wing.

Protest in London too

The Global Week of Action to Reclaim Education was launched by the International Students Movement for Free and Emancipating Education and runs from 17th to 22nd November.

London students joined the movement and protested yesterday, whereas Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur did their part today.

"We chose to protest at KLCC because Petronas is the symbolic venue of the petroleum industry.

"Countries with free education such as Venezuela and Cuba use their petroleum revenue to do that,” said Bawani.

In these two countries, their governments provide free education from kindergarten to university first degrees, the PSM Youth chief added.

Bawani pointed out that Petronas, the state-owned national oil company, earned around RM 80 billion to RM120 billion from its petroleum revenue each year.

She said therefore, the Malaysian government should be able to provide its people with free education.

“We have studied that it only costs RM6 billion to RM10 billion, if the government provides free education from kindergarten to university,” said Bawani.

She further explained that according to audit-general report, the amount of corruption involved RM30 billion every year and that if the government is serious in coping with the matter, the people could then enjoy free education from that money saved.

Asked the reason for low attendance of the rally, Bawani explained that this is due to now being the season of campus polls and students are busy.

“We also feel that awareness among students (regarding this issue) is not high. So, we will do a roadshow and explain this issue to students,” she said.

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