Why keep targeting us for budget cuts, lament students

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Students are lamenting that they have become a key target of Putrajaya's austerity measures after the government suspended degree scholarships provided by the Public Service Department (JPA).

Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya president Muhammad Wafiuddin Rosli pointed out that the suspension of scholarships comes just months after Putrajaya instituted a RM1.4 billion cut on funds for public universities.

"Now students are again shocked by the suspension of JPA scholarships at a time when the economy is faltering.

"It's like adding insult to injury. Coupled with the rising cost of living and slash to (public) university funding, what fate will students suffer?" he said in a statement today.

Wafiuddin ( photo ) said while the government has justified the cuts due to falling revenue, the people are being made to fork more money following the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) last year.

"The government estimated that the GST collection in 2015, from when it was implemented in April, would total RM23.2 billion.

"Where has the money gone?" Wafiuddin asked.

Meanwhile, Youth Parliament education and career committee chairperson Ahmad Wafi Sahedan also criticised the suspension of JPA scholarships.

"Even though we are facing uncertain economic times due to the global economic pressure, the government cannot save on important areas, particularly education," Ahmad Wafi.

He added that education is an important investment for building a skilled workforce for the future.

"Do not take the easy way out by suspending JPA scholarships be it for current or future holders," Ahmad Wafi said in a statement today.

Some 700 applications for both local and overseas scholarships this year will be affected by the suspension .

The suspension comes on the heels of the RM1.4 billion in cuts to allocations for public universities, announced in Budget 2016 last October.



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