GE15: cash splashing won’t fix core issues, Syed Saddiq slams BN manifesto

KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional’s (BN) manifesto may look good on paper, but the pledges made do not address structural issues affecting the country, particularly concerning education. 

This is according to Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who lambasted the coalition for purportedly resorting to mere cash splashing to solve certain core problems. 

“I looked at its policy plan one by one. Once again, they are not addressing the fundamental education issues in Malaysia. 

“Their solution is always to put in money. That’s not a solution. If that’s the case, we should be better than Singapore and Japan,” he said during a hi-tea session with Gombak youth voters. 

The event was also attended by Selangor menteri besar and Gombak Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. 

In drawing up plans, Syed Saddiq said the key is to look for solutions to problems such as underemployment and the long process required for Malaysians to obtain a bachelor’s degree, which he noted could take up to six years. 

On top of this, he noted that BN’s manifesto also does not include any pledge to address the high number of youths who are uninterested in furthering their education at the tertiary level. 

“This is not a solution. Structural changes are inexistent,” he said. 

The Muar incumbent also slammed certain leaders whom he described as being hypocritical for not wanting fundamental changes to be implemented to the education system. 

“The same individuals who do not have the courage to send their children to public schools here are instead sending them to France and the United Kingdom. 

“But when it comes to Malaysians, they say we must maintain the system. This is double standard. The poor get no quality education. You (BN) are the true hypocrites. 

“Believe me, if we (PH) become part of the government, we will reshuffle (the system). Popular or not, that’s a different matter,” he said. 

Syed Saddiq was asked to comment on some of BN'’s offers in its manifesto targeted for youths and how PH plans to counter this in order to win the support of young voters. 

In tabling BN’s manifesto last night, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had, among others, pledged to offer free tertiary education will also be accorded to all Malaysians categorised under B40, if the coalition wins federal power. 

BN also intends to mandate a hybrid higher education system that will see 50% of each lesson conducted on campus and online, while a fully digital education system will see the use of textbooks be phased out for primary and secondary schools, with lessons to be conducted using laptops instead. 

Syed Saddiq said while good ideas should be welcomed, BN’s ability to fulfil these promises is questionable, citing examples during the Covid-19 pandemic period. 

He noted that when the country went into full lockdown and classes had to be done virtually, one in every three students in the peninsula was found to lack any devices to allow them to partake in online lessons. 

“Now they are introducing a new RM450 million scheme to give out tablets (to B40 students). Covid-19 is gone, and only now the tablets are arriving. 

“That is why I always stress on implementation. As such, the rakyat must make a choice. 

“Think honestly and sincerely, which is the more transparent and trustworthy government? Is it PH-Muda, or BN and Perikatan Nasional?” – The Vibes, November 8, 2022