Student groups threaten protest over rising cost of living

 

International Islamic University Malaysia’s student union president Aliff Naif (third from left) says the student groups will take to the streets if their demands are not met.

GOMBAK: Some 20 student groups have warned the government that they will take to the streets if it fails to address the rising cost of living.

The groups’ spokesman, International Islamic University Malaysia’s student union president Aliff Naif, listed five demands for the government, including salary cuts for ministers and their deputies as well as additional aid for the people.

The other demands include the continued provision of subsidies, price controls for food sold at universities and a resolution to the country’s food security problems.

“If these demands are not met, we will take to the streets (to protest),” Aliff said at a press conference here.

He reminded the ministers that with the large size of the Cabinet, it would be best to accept the demand to have their salaries reduced and show solidarity with the people.

On food security, Aliff urged the government to provide short and long-term solutions, adding that many students had vented their frustration on social media with some saying they were unable to buy meals on campuses.

“The price increases of food and other items have burdened the students. We don’t have salaries to cope with the price hikes. I don’t rule out the possibility that many of our friends may have to go hungry as they cannot afford their meals,” he said.

Among the groups which endorsed the statement are Demokrat UKM, Demokrat UM, Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany), Republican UKM, Suara Mahasiswa UMS, Muda Biro Mahasiswa, Mahasiswa Roket, and Mahasiswa Amanah Nasional. - FMT