BY SANDREA NG
I take note of the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh’s statement asking the government not to continuously cut the budget for his ministry.
I am worried if the 2018 budget will also be cut affecting the quality of higher education in this country.
If this continues, the young generation or students will be affected with increasing study cost and reduction in numbers of academic research.
Almost a year has past since the 2017 budget, why is it that Idris Jusoh is voicing this matter now? Why not during the last budget session?
In the last 2017 budget presentation in October last year, the Prime Minister allocated RM12.1 billion for the ministry compared to RM13.378 billion in 2016 Budget and RM15.785 billion in 2015 Budget.
Several weaknesses in the 2017 Budget gave a clear picture that the Umno BN seemed to be presenting an anti-education budget.
I urge the government to re-evaluate so that the education sector become the nation’s key area and continue to receive due attention for the sake of the country’s future.
* Sandrea Ng is KEADILAN Youth Deputy Chief
2018 Budget: Do not continuously cut Education fund
