KUALA LUMPUR – Abolishing the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) is impossible since its debt stands at least RM40 billion, but Muda has proposed a two-pronged approach that will benefit fresh graduates and the fund itself.
Party chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said one of the approaches is a phased payment system, in which PTPTN repayment starts when a graduate earns a decent wage.
He added that this was suggested during Pakatan Harapan’s time in government.
“When the borrower’s monthly salary is at RM2,000, he or she pays a small percentage of the PTPTN repayment. When one’s income reaches RM4,000, they can pay the full monthly repayment.”
He added that this proposal was passed by the PH cabinet and an announcement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was planned during the first Covid-19 stimulus package.
However, Dr Mahathir could not unveil the PTPTN plan when he became the interim prime minister as it required a large allocation.
“My stance is that instead of only looking at the debt only, we must look at wages for graduates as well.
“After Undi18, there were discussions for a Malaysia Kerja programme valued at RM6.5 billion to create 350,000 quality jobs for youth. This is the answer to PTPTN,” said Syed Saddiq.
He added that youth unemployment is currently at 12.7%, with the brunt of it affecting the Indian community.
“We want employers who give jobs to youth that have been unable to find work despite trying for at least a year. If the employers give them work, the government will subsidise RM500 a month for a period of two years.”
Syed Saddiq was at a Muda Mendengar (Muda Listens) programme yesterday at Taman Eco Arcadia here.
Also in attendance were Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya, CEC chairman Lim Wei Jiet, DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong, and Kota Iskandar assemblyman Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Time to use the law against racist job, rental ads
Meanwhile, Lim suggested that it is high time that laws be used to prevent racist commercial advertisements.
He said commercial organisations and landlords should be penalised for saying they prefer a certain race in their advertisements.
He also acknowledged that some job advertisements have veiled discriminatory requirements.
“Sometimes they say they prefer a certain language in the job description, and that is a mask for discrimination.
“I think the law must also recognise that some jobs or industries do legitimately require language requirements, for example, if the company deals with counterparts in China.
“But generally, there is a need to legally prevent this discrimination.” – The Vibes, February 13, 2022
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