KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman asked why were students of Teachers Education Institute (IPG) being excluded from the scope of the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah aid programme.
In a Tiktok video yesterday, the Muar member of Parliament also questioned why did the government adopt a discriminatory policy against IPG students when they were also considered university students.
He claimed that IPG students did not receive the RM200 credit for the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah aid.
"Why are IPG students being left out? They are full-time students too. Future teachers!
"There are individuals who argue that IPG students do not deserve the aid since they already receive an allowance.
"But, other students who receive scholarships from MARA and JPA are still eligible for the aid.
"Even students from rich families receive it.
"(So) Why are IPG students being excluded?" he said.
Syed Saddiq said this after seeing complaints from people claiming they had failed to receive the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah credit.
@syedsaddiq Jangan anaktirikan bakal cikgu. They are our future. #syedsaddiq #ebelia #ipg #cikgu #bakalcikgu #fyp #brokenmelodies #mark #diskriminasi #pertiwi #gurutiktok ♬ Broken Melodies - NCT DREAM
The video, which has garnered over 14,000 likes and 669 comments, received criticism and sparked a debate among netizens on TikTok.
Responding to Syed Saddiq's statement, user dharshana asked, "YB, what about students who are taking educational courses in IPTA? We go through the same thing as IPG students but we don't receive any special allowance."
Similarly, user @yaaachan96 added, "YB, what about trainee teachers from other IPTs? Are they not future teachers simply because they are not from IPG? Please be fair."
Grateful for Syed Saddiq's efforts in raising the issue, other users expressed relief that someone had finally spoken up about the matter.
"Finally, someone has voiced out what has been on our minds and in our hearts," said Shini.
"Thank you YB for speaking up. It's not that our allowance is not enough but with the current prices of goods, RM430 can disappear in an instant," said Justine.
The media previously reported that youths aged 18 to 20 or full-time students at institutions of higher education (IPT) could begin registering to receive RM200 for the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah programme from 8am on Monday (June 26).