'Use RM30mil for free education pilot project'

Selangor PKR wants the state government to continue with plans to provide RM30 million to Universiti Selangor, despite a reversal of the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loan.

According to Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei, the RM30 million can be used as funds for a "free education pilot project".

"The state tried out the minimum wage policy at several state-owned companies first.

"So, similarly, the RM30 million can be used for selected, qualified students to show that free education is possible," Shuhaimi (right) said when contacted.

"If the pilot project works, then it can be used in other states or even at federal level."

Admitting that the process of floating Unisel's land for the funds will take time, Shuhaimi suggested that the state looks into using the state reserves.

"It will require a supplementary budget that needs to be approved by the state assembly, which will sit in July. So, there is still time if we want to do it," he said.

'Permanent education fund'

However, Shuhaimi noted that the mechanism needed to be worked out, for which a special committee should be formed to look into the details.

"We can call in experts in the field to come up with a guideline to be used by the state and loan applicants," he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor PKR Youth strategy director Ahmad Zaki Yamani Zainon called on the state government to turn the RM30 million into a permanent education fund.

"This fund, which will compromise other assets, will not be floated or liquidated but invested, with income generated from the investment used for education purposes," Ahmad Zaki said.

He said the funds could also be used to form an "education consortium" consisting of Pakatan Rakyat universities in the interest of "streamlining access" to higher education in Pakatan-ruled states.

At the same time, the funds can also be used to build job-matching programmes and training for graduates.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim last week announced that Unisel will liquidate RM30 million of its assets to assist students affected by the PTPTN loan freeze.

The freeze, which will affect new students at Unisel and another Selangor university, Selangor International Islamic University College (Kuis), was reversed the next day.

It was initially put into place to "test" whether the PKR-led Selangor government will be able to implement the free education policy proposal mooted by Pakatan Rakyat - if it takes over federal power.