Minister advised to be more sensitive when framing policies affecting people
KUCHING: Special officer to the federal Housing and Local Government Ministry, Voon Shiak Ni is urging Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik to be more sensitive and professional in framing new policies affecting the people.
Voon said she hoped the Education Ministry would take feedback from stakeholders before announcing any new policy.
She also hoped that the National Higher Education Fund Corporation ( PTPTN) borrowers with monthly income of RM2,000 would not be mandated to repay their loans for the time being.
Under the new PTPTN repayment scheme introduced by the Education Ministry recently, borrowers earning RM2,000 and above would have between two per cent and 15 per cent of their salaries deducted to repay their PTPTN loans.
“I am of the opinion that the said repayment scheme is not people- friendly or holistic as it is putting up a task for employers to manage the deductions for loan repayment, and also a violation of worker’s rights to deduct one’s income without due consent for the scheduled deduction.
“Of course, it is also deemed as an unfair measure to those PTPN borrowers who have been servicing their loans on time.”
Voon pointed out that the measure is seen as drastic and stigmatising young people in a way too as ‘defaulters’.
According to the figures released in Parliament, so far the majority of the PTPTN borrowers have paid up their loans – only 19 per cent have not settled them, said Voon.
She commended Maszlee for putting on hold the repayment scheme and taking criticisms constructively.
Nevertheless, Voon said the public at large opined that the minister should be more peoplesensitive when framing and legislating new policies and systems affecting the people.
“To suspend a decision after drawing flak from the public does not look good on the ministry, and compromises public confidence in our governance and be labelled flip flops.
“We are hopeful that the ministry would not rush into announcing any future decision and policy, and to observe the importance of taking public feedback and consultations from stakeholders,” she said.