Free tuition: Sabah rep tells govt to help locals first, then aid Palestinians

 

A Sabah lawmaker has urged the government to prioritise locals for free education instead of giving the privilege to Palestinians.

Moyog assemblyperson Darell Leiking said this is because thousands of university students, including those from Sabah, still need help with tuition fees and other education-related matters.

"If the Madani government thinks this is the way to help Palestinians, maybe it should do exactly the same to Sabahans who have to enter universities in the peninsula as places in UMS (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) are not enough for locals due to the shared entry system for all Malaysians.

"Sabahans have to skimp and save money to go to the many universities in Peninsular Malaysia (both public and private universities)," the Warisan deputy president wrote in a statement on Facebook today.

Leiking (above) was responding to Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s move to waive tuition fees for more than 600 Palestinian students studying at public universities in Malaysia for one year with immediate effect.

Khaled added that his ministry will also hold talks with private universities to waive the fees for more than 200 Palestinian students studying at these institutions for the same duration.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin

Elaborating, Leiking said Sabahans had approached him countless times seeking assistance to lessen their burden, as they are unable to secure scholarships or spots in UMS.

"Any government should prioritise its own citizens first and Sabahans (if not all Malaysians) should be prioritised, no matter what," he stressed.

Leiking also urged the Sabah government to utilise the money used for state administration-related billboards on less fortunate locals who want to further their education instead.

"In short, if the Madani government wants to help foreigners like the Palestinians, why not do so only after helping Malaysians/Sabahans first?

"If you dislike my opinions, don't diss me as I have this opinion that my fellow Sabahans come first." - Mkini