While many student leaders, as well as opposition politicians, have been calling for tertiary education to be made free, an academician has questioned whether the Malaysian community can appreciate something that is free.

Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) lecturer Zaharuddin Abd Rahman’s hypothetical question was in response to a Universiti Selangor (Unisel) student who had called for education in her university to be made free of all fees.

While Zaharuddin said that he is not against free tertiary education, the UIAM assistant professor, speaking as one of the panellists in a forum at the National Students’ Congress in Ampang today, said an ideal idea might not be good at a time when society is not ready for it.

“Free tertiary education is good, but is our society able to appreciate something that is free?

“Just look at this congress, it is free, right?” said Zaharuddin in reference to the mere 100 over students present at the forum.

The academician, who also serves as adviser to several Islamic financial institutions, said one would be more appreciative if he or she paid for something.

“Unfortunately, our society is not ready (for free education). What we need to do is to make assessments (in relation to free education).

“We shouldn't go to the extreme that everything is free of charge. Maybe free education should be provided for students who perform according to certain benchmarks.”

‘A healthier option’

And that, he believes, would be a healthier option as the Malaysian community, especially those who “lack in morals”, would take for granted whatever that is free of charge.

“Free education, perhaps for primary and secondary school is okay, but for universities, it depends on suitability,” he added.

Another panellist, Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen (photo), who was posed the same question earlier, said that he does not play a role in the state government’s affairs even though he is a parliamentarian.

“So it's very hard to even advise the menteri besar on Unisel.

“But I will raise the matter with the menteri besar when I see him, although I haven't seen him in a year,” he joked.

Jokes aside, Wong said Pakatan Harapan believes in free education as it is a right and also because it is very important to address inequality.

“Education is the greatest way to ensure social mobility among the different social classes of people

“If education is not free, a father can buy a son’s education at Harvard,” said Wong, citing the prestigious Ivy League.

Selangor state executive councillor for education, human capital development, science, technology and innovation Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad later responded to the issue of free education and explained the reasons why free education was not a possible option for Unisel.

“Education is not under the state government’s purview. It is under the federal government.”

Although the Selangor government contributes at least 32 percent to the country’s economy, it only obtains one percent of the total revenue from the federal government, Nik Nazmi (photo) said.

Nevertheless, the state government tries to do what it can to bridge the gap, he said, citing the Selangorku scholarship fund for Selangor-born students, among others.

Apart from this, Nik Nazmi said, the state government has spent exorbitantly to rescue Unisel, and had even given RM44 million to the university for infrastructural expenses.

“I can't take care of Unisel on a day-to-day basis, for that's not my job. My job is to monitor and supervise.”

‘Unisel’s situation in dire straits’

Citing the appointment of former Universiti Malaya academician Mohammad Redzuan as Unisel vice-chancellor as part of transforming the university, Nik Nazmi believes that students there have seen various changes throughout the years.

However, he admitted, Unisel’s situation was in dire straits.

Responding to another Unisel student who proposed that students be allowed to sit for examinations despite not having paid their fees, Nik Nazmi said such instances had led to various problems.

“Previously, we allowed this, but then in the end they ended up not paying for their fees to the point that Unisel had problems to pay the salaries of lecturers.

“Lecturers’ salaries have not increased in the past three, four years. If there's cash flow problems, how do we take care of the university properly?”

This was one of the reasons why the policy that students pay their fees before sitting for their examinations has been maintained, he said.

However, Nik Nazmi added, the affected students could appeal their cases to the university and give their reasons for failing to pay their fees.