PTPTN issue: Speak up, Guan Eng
MCA leader Chua Tee Yong wants the DAP secretary-general to clear the air over Anwar Ibrahim’s proposal.
(FMT) – MCA has challenged DAP to voice its stance over PKR’s proposal to scrap the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) student loan scheme.
MCA Youth Professionals Bureau chairman Chua Tee Yong said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng must speak up against PKR de facto leader “Anwar Ibrahim’s recent antics of encouraging PTPTN loan recipients not to repay their debts as well as his promise to scrap the PTPTN loan.”
Such a move would spiral the nation into bankruptcy, added the deputy minister of agriculture and agro-based industries and Labis MP.
“Guan Eng must clarify his stance regarding Anwar’s proposal to shelve the PTPTN loan.
“Is this declaration made by Anwar an official announcement of Pakatan Rakyat’s future plans or is it a mere personal stand of Anwar’s?” he asked.
Chua said “Guan Eng and his DAP cronies” were often “bullied” by their Pakatan allies as their views were called “personal opinions” which do not represent the opposition coalition’s stand.
“Now, Anwar has made such irresponsible remarks – will Guan Eng muster the courage to publicly oppose Anwar, and claim that ‘Anwar’s urging not to repay loans’ does not reflect the Rocket’s stance?” he added.
He said that PKR’s proposal to axe the PTPTN loan scheme was “not the first time that Anwar made such outrageous comments.”
“Previously, he (Anwar) 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 scrutiny nor considerable thought,” he said.
Chua said Pakatan leaders had not made clear their alternative policies to be implemented with regard to the the PTPTN loan scheme; the lowering of petrol prices and the abolition of the
“It is necessary for 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,” he added.
Turning a blind eye
He said Pakatan had been instigating the public to hate the government in order “to fish for votes in light of the forthcoming general election.”
“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 are made by a former minister of finance,” he added.
