Speak up Guan Eng, on Anwar’s proposal to axe PTPTN loan repayments

I challenge Lim Guan Eng to speak up against Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent antics of encouraging PTPTN loan recipients to not repay their debts as well as his promise to scrap the PTPTN loan. Such a move will spiral the nation into bankruptcy.

The DAP Secretary General must clarify his stance regarding Anwar’s proposal to shelve the PTPTN loan. Is this declaration made by Anwar an official announcement of Pakatan’s future plans or is it a mere personal stand of Anwar’s? Lim Guan Eng must inform the public on DAP’s stance on this matter.

In the past, Lim Guan Eng and his DAP cronies were often ‘bullied’ by their Pakatan allies as their opinions were called ‘personal opinions’ which do not represent the Opposition coalition’s collective view. Now, Anwar has made such irresponsible remarks - will Lim Guan Eng muster the courage to publicly oppose Anwar, and claim that ‘Anwar’s urge to not repay loans’ does not reflect the Rocket’s stance?

Anwar’s remarks a populist measure

This is not the first time Anwar made such outrageous comments. Previously, he promised to lower petrol prices. Now, his promise of removing the PTPTN loan is merely another populist measure to take over Putrajaya, which was not uttered under with scrutiny nor considerable thought.

Pakatan leaders also did not clarify on alternative policies to be implemented response to the lowering of petrol prices and the abolition of the North-South Expressway and the PTPTN loan scheme.

It is necessary of Anwar to give a detailed account of the whole implementation and abolition process to ensure accountability for these policies and not just utter verbal promises.

To fish for votes ….

Pakatan has made many remarks to instigate public hatred to fish for votes in light of the forthcoming General Elections. To appeal to the younger voters, Anwar resorted to urging them to refuse repaying their loans. In his desperation for power, Anwar displays ridiculous behaviour.

The shameful thing is, all these promises were made by a former Minister of Finance. The whole objective of the establishment of the PTPTN loan fund is to aid needy students who cannot afford tuition fee and living expenses during their tertiary years.

This loan scheme has proven to be a success as many students applied for this scheme in pursuit of their studies. Besides that, top-scorer students are exempted from repaying as the loan is converted into a scholarship while students with average results are not charged with any additional fees. It is a fairly reasonable scheme.

Anwar however is inciting the students to break the law while Lim Guan Eng is turning a blind eye towards this matter.

Anwar, as the Selangor economic advisor should walk the talk, and start by lowering the assessment tax by 20% in Selangor as he promised. Compared to the other impractical commitments he pledged, this promise looks more easily to be achieved.

Datuk Chua Tee Yong

MCA Youth Professionals Bureau Chairman

Member of Parliament for Labis

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries