PSM: PM plans to 'satiate cronies' with subsidised education reform

PSM has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of attempting to “satiate cronies” with the announcement that the government is examining the distribution of education subsidies to the people.

According to the party’s central committee member Karthiges Rajamanikam, Anwar’s statement that “subsidies in the education sector are currently enjoyed by the elite and the wealthy” was malicious and distorted, as the country’s education, from primary to secondary and vocational levels are currently free for all Malaysians.

“The privatisation of our country’s education was started by (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the 1990s with the establishment of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and the granting of licences to the private sector to open hundreds of colleges.

“A group of wealthy elites and politicians have opened private colleges to reap the profits made from PTPTN funds. Perhaps Anwar has forgotten that his own political party (PKR) once called for free education and opposed the privatisation of such education,” Karthiges said in a statement today.

It was unfortunate for Anwar to now spread the rhetoric that the current system is enjoyed by the wealthy, and it needs to be changed to help the poor for his own political survival, Karthiges added.

“Anwar said the rich should send their children to study at their own expense. What does it mean to cover your own expenses? What does it mean that the proceeds (from the subsidy savings) will be used for additional assistance to the poor?”

How will it work?

Karthiges further questioned how the mechanism would be implemented if it came to force.

“Would children of the wealthy get charged high fees at universities or government colleges?

“Or will they be barred from going into the public education system?”

Karthiges also wondered whether the private sector would be allowed to open higher education institutes to accommodate the educational needs of the wealthy.

“Will the children of the poor be given free education at universities and government colleges due to savings from this initiative?

“Does the unity government plan to build more public universities/university colleges that have remained at only 20 for many years while we have 48 private universities and 345 private university colleges registered throughout Malaysia?” asked Karthiges.

He said that education should be based on meritocracy and not on one's socio-economic status.

Don’t privatise education

Karthiges then urged Anwar to cease plans to privatise the country’s education system.

“Our education system has already been destroyed to satisfy the wants of the super-rich and their puppets in the government.

“The confusion and distortion of the national education policy has preyed on thousands of our young people who have fallen into the trap of borrowing and at the same time not getting jobs commensurate with their education.”

Karthiges then called on the government to provide free education up to bachelor’s degree level to all citizens, regardless of race, religion and socio-economic status.

In addition, the government should also build more public universities and colleges, while imposing a moratorium on the construction of more private universities and colleges, he added.

“Government-linked companies (GLCs) should not be involved in private education. The government should also take over private higher education institutions owned by GLCs and turn them into public higher education institutions.

“Retired politicians/government employees should not own or be directors of private colleges/universities. Education is a universal right. Don’t trade it!”

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