Tok Pa's statement an insult to graduates - youths

 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed’s statement that university graduates should be grateful even for low paying jobs amounts to an insult, Belia Harmoni Malaysia president Huzayl Mohammad Noor Sia said.

While conceding that the economy is in dire straits, Huzayl said Mustapa should be working towards improving the economic situation so as to increase graduates’ wages.

“I concede that the economy is in critical condition, but as a minister, he should come up with ways to revive the nation’s economy as best possible; not tell graduates who are feeling the pinch to just accept the situation,” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.

Echoing Huzayl’s sentiments, Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) president Ahmad Farhan Rosli also urged the government to review the minimum wage for graduates.

“The government should study setting the minimum wage based on locality because the cost of living is different between urban and rural areas. We suggest the minimum wage should be around RM1,800 to RM2,300.

“The government should be more rational and sensitive. While ministers earn a high salary, it is very inappropriate to belittle graduates. Thus, now is the best time to study graduates’ wages,” Ahmad Farhan said.

PKPIM president Ahmad Farhan Rosli

Meanwhile, engineering graduate Noor Atiqah Zulkifli also felt Mustapa’s comments were uncalled for.

“Graduates have worked hard during their studies, but in the end, the salary is the same as those with an SPM certificate. Not to belittle them, but it makes no sense.

“We’ve spent tens of thousands, and those who have taken National Higher Education Fund loans are saddled with debt. We’re already full of commitments by the time we leave (university), and we haven’t even got to graduates in the B40 group yet. We have many burdens to bear,” she said.

On Sunday, Mustapa said graduates should be grateful if they got a job even if it pays a low salary because many others have lost their jobs due to a weak job market caused by the economy shrinking 5.6 percent last year.

“It could have been worse without the measures taken by the government.

“So to me, graduates who are employed should be grateful despite the low salary as there are many others who are jobless.

“We expect that once the economy begins to recover this year, it is possible for salaries to increase,” said the Jeli MP. - Mkini