Upping the ante from the previous 20 strong students’ march on November 14, hundreds made the journey from Masjid Jamek to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) building on Jalan Yap Kwan Seng demanding fulfilment of PTPTN’s promises.
FMT reported that 300 university students went against traffic clad in black, brandished banners written with the words “Tuntut Janji PTPTN” (Fulfil PTPTN’s Promises).
Source: Kosmo
The march led by Gamis (Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam), was also heard chanting their rejection of Education Minister Dr Mazlee Malik.
The organization’s representative Yazid Khairul Azman stressed that the government should help students, especially those that earn low wages.
Source: The Malaysian Insight
“Choosing PH (Pakatan Harapan) to govern is of no use if it fails to keep its promises.”
“It is up to Malaysians to throw them out of Putrajaya. Let this be a warning to them.”
The second march organized by Gamis was rooted at PH’s inability to fulfil its manifesto’s promise – PTPTN borrowers with monthly incomes lower than RM4,000 would be offered a repayment deferment.
Source: Malaysia Gazette
According to its President Muhammad Faizzuddin Mohd Zai, they were disappointed for not being able to meet the Education Minister as they were stopped at the gates by the police.
He also outlines that should there be a scheduled repayment scheme of between 2% to 15% for those earning more than RM1,000 each month, graduates could be RM400 in debt every month.
Yazid warned the PH government stating that if Malaysians were able to topple the BN (Barisan Nasional) government during GE14, they could do the same to PH in the next general election.
Relatedly, the police have stated that the protest contravened the Peaceful Assembly Act because no notice was given. Action will be taken against the organisers.
Are you for or against a monthly scheduled repayment scheme? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: Students March 9km to Parliament to Protest Deducting 2-15% From Salary to Repay PTPTN
