Student group Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis) said that it finds the temporary freeze on higher education loans for Universiti Selangor (Unisel) students “repulsive”.

NONEIn a strongly worded statement, its president, Akram Ikrami Taib Azamudden (right), said that freezing the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans for Unisel students is far from responsible.

“Freezing the loans under the pretext of testing the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government’s ability to provide free education is not only unprofessional but is also a very ugly move that victimises students,” he said.

He added that PTPTN should have denied the applications “following proper procedures” and not do so behind the university’s back, particularly as Unisel is an accredited institution.

As such, the student leader demanded that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin and PTPTN chairperson Ismail Mohamed Said apologise for the freeze.

“As those responsible in this matter, they should apologise to Unisel students and the Selangor government for the freeze,” he said.

Dump ‘stone age’ politics

Echoing Gamis in a separate statement, Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan condemned Khaled for appearing to ‘enjoy’ the outcome of the freeze.

NONEEqually “disgusting”, he added, was the statement by Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar (right) who said that he believes the loans will be resumed once PKR admits it cannot provide free education.

“This clearly shows that Umno and BN practice stone age politics which is absolutely disgusting. Their vindictiveness has mired their ability to make good judgments as a government, so much so that they are willing to victimise their own people.”

Hasbullah, however, commended Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who has called for an end to the freeze, and to Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for stepping in to assist the students.

Abdul Khalid yesterday announced that Unisel will liquidate some of its assets in order to raise RM30 million to assist the affected students, as a stop-gap measure.

In the wake of the controversy, Malaysiakini reported that PTPTN has this morning decided to lift its temporary freeze on giving study loans to Unisel and Kuin students.


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