Students in dire situation due to delay in getting funds

MY son is in foundation year at a public university. It’s almost two months since the semester began but the government study aid for deserving students has yet to be disbursed.

My son sees many of his dorm mates and friends go hungry as they await the study aid. Many of them are from rural areas and come from not well-to-do families. They skip breakfast and live on instant noodles to make their money stretch. My son sometimes gives them his pocket money so that they can buy themselves a decent meal of rice.

Another compassionate fellow student placed a few boxes of instant noodles on a small table at the elevator lobby. He put a collection tin and a note saying that each packet costs RM1 but those who were short of funds could take the noodles for free. Sadly, this student was reprimanded by the university authorities who claimed he was doing business in campus and was thus breaking the law.

I would like to implore the relevant authorities to realise the serious impact of their delay in disbursing the funds to the students and to immediately expedite the payment. They should also ensure that the funds are available at the beginning of each semester.

In the meantime, I would like to suggest that charity organisations and soup kitchens reach out to the public varsities’ welfare committees or student councils to discuss the possibility of providing hot meals to needy students.

CONCERNED PARENT Kuala Lumpur