Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin today told students advocating the abolition of PTPTN loans not to take to the streets but to state their case at the ballot box instead.
"What do they want to demonstrate for? We are going to have a general election.
"If there is any party that wants to abolish PTPTN without giving out any loans, they can choose that party in the general election, the time is already very near," Khaled said when approached after an education fair in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
Student group Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) last Friday threatened to rally on Apr 14 for the abolition of PTPTN and a waiver of all outstanding loans. .. - Malaysiakini, 31/3/2012, PTPTN: Why rally, just vote, Khaled tells students
This BN mentality is so undemocratic - people in a democracy have every right to voice/express protest, disappointment, differing views ... at any time - and any democratic government will always listen and consider the views of its people - and will respond with their decisions... not just keep silent.
When people cast their vote every five years, most of the time it is normally a general evaluation of various aspects - not just a position on any particular issue. A victory in a once in 5 years elections is NOT a blanket mandate or approval to do whatever you want to for the 5 year term, without any obligation to refer back to the people or 'listen' to the people's views and concerns about an issue.
The practice of suddenly tabling Bills and hurriedly getting it passed .... sudden announcement of a government decision/policy without any prior consultation or discussion is certainly not democratic - or open, transparent, accountable...
What is wrong with making Bills available to public before hand - allowing people the opportunity to comment, protest - and thereafter the government should re-consider its proposal in light of the public feedback - then maybe table the Bill in Parliament...
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