Struggling with rising prices, some university students skip meals

 

Universiti Malaya Students’ Union secretary Ooi Guo Shen says there are students who are coming under increasing pressure because of the spiralling cost of living. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A student’s union has sounded the alarm over the rising cost of living, saying they are struggling to cope with increased prices to the point some are forced to forego meals.

Universiti Malaya Students’ Union secretary Ooi Guo Shen said there are students who are coming under increasing pressure because of the higher prices of goods. He said many have expressed their concerns on social media.

Ooi said some are worried about facing the new semester and having to juggle tuition fees and living expenses.

“I’m hungry. (I) want to ask for money from my parents (but) they barely have enough. Every night I am hungry but I try to withstand (the hunger). I tear up when I can eat rice, I’m missing home,” shared one student on social media.

Another student, who only wished to be known as Nur Fazlina, said the rising prices were a real problem for students, particularly those from lower-income families like her.

The 21-year-old said she had to be frugal and work part-time as her student loan was not enough to cover her living expenses. She also sends money back to her family.

“I feel the pressure. Food is expensive, so even though I am busy with class, I still find the time to work part-time as my parents do not earn a fixed income. If I have extra, I can help them.

“There are times I feel sad, when my mother calls to ask if I have money. Even though I’m struggling, I just tell them that I have money because I can’t bear to ask them for it,” she told FMT.

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students union president Aliff Naif described the situation faced by students as a “ticking timebomb” that could affect their studies.

“How are those from lower-income families going to sustain themselves when prices are rising?” said Aliff, a spokesman for a group of student unions who have threatened to protest if the government does not bring down the rising cost of living.

Hamizan Abdul, a student from Perak, said he has had to ration his food and eat only once a day.

The economics undergraduate stays off-campus and says rent and utilities are taking their toll.

“That’s why sometimes I have to starve and eat once a day to save money,” he said. - FMT