Solid solution needed for Indian students, says MP

SHAH ALAM - The allocation of RM2 million in financial assistance for Indian students under the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is seen as an outdated way to help the people.

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said giving handouts was an old practice.

“It is a very old practice of just giving handouts to win the hearts of the people and to secure votes.

“Why does he (Ismail Sabri) feel like it was a necessity to announce this allocation? It goes to show that there is a problem that children do not have enough money to pursue their education,” she said.

She said this after the 2022 DAP Special Congress at the Ideal Convention Centre, here, on Sunday, which was attended by over 1,200 delegates.

She added that if they were serious about solving the issue, reforms on the higher education system should be made to ensure that all deserving students could have their fair share of funds from the Higher Education Ministry.

If reforms could not be done, she said the government should set up a bigger grant to help students pursue their education instead.

She also raised concerns on whether the RM2 million allocation was adequate.

“With RM2 million, you would only be able to help a maximum of nine to 15 students, especially if they are pursuing higher education in pharmacy, dentistry, or even engineering as the cost for those courses can reach up to a quarter of a million per student,'' she said.

She added that there was a need to get to the bottom of the issue to help these students, regardless of their race.