UNIVERSITY students have welcomed Putrajaya’s proposal to reintroduce the student discount card to reduce undergraduates’ financial burden.

They told The Malaysian Insight that although it may not be a long-term move, it is a relief for students from poor families.

Last week, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub said talks will be held with the Finance Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry on the discount card.

Previously, the 1Malaysia Student Discount Card was introduced as a debit/ATM/discount card for university students, where they get discounts of up to 60% on various products.

Rania Florian John Modoit of University Malaya said the initiative should be extended.

“Many students have lauded Menu Rahmah, which focuses on meals not exceeding RM5 introduced by the ministry and its partners to help the B40 community. We believe due to the success we’ve seen for Menu Rahmah, the response we can expect from these students’ cards is also positive.

“Just because it’s a short-term plan does not mean we have to disregard it completely. Nowadays, a lot of students are struggling not only in terms of (obtaining) internships and getting placements for residential colleges, but also in covering their daily expenses like being able to afford meals.

“We believe this initiative is aligned with our common goal – to help students improve their daily lives in university,” said the law student, who is also UM’s student body strategic planning secretary.

She said there is confusion around how the discount card would be used.

“Whether it will be applicable to buy meals or also other stuff like text books still needs an answer.

“We hope the government is able to tackle the nitty-gritty of this initiative properly before implementing it to serve the students’ best interest,” she said.

Syed Zuliqbal Syed Abd Halim of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia agreed with Modoit.

He said universities should be allowed to start food banks to help more students.

“The rising cost of living is a burden to many. But other than food, what else can the students buy with the discount card?

“As for the long-term plan, maybe more food banks can be established in universities so more students, not just the poor, can benefit from them,” he said.

Address core issues

However, an academic disagreed with the ministry’s plan to reintroduce the discount card, saying it is not a long-term solution to student poverty.

Geoffrey Williams of Malaysia University of Science and Technology said the introduction of discount cards would not resolve structural issues behind student poverty.

These structural issues include expenses like tuition, accommodation and food, students’ inability to work while studying, scarce and low-wage job opportunities, and compulsory, often unpaid, internships.

Williams said without first addressing these structural issues, discount cards would likely only benefit vendors and suppliers, including suppliers of the cards and finance companies.

Malaysian Muslim Students Association vice-president Amal Hadaya Mohammad Sharifuddin urged the government to focus on core issues such as expensive school tuition, including internship payment.

The International Islamic University Malaysia student also called for a long-term plan.

“We welcome the decision to reintroduce the discount card to help the needy. Any effort to help poor students or any student is very much welcome.

“But at the same time, we need a long-term plan to fix issues or economical issues that are burdening students,” said Amal.

She said the government should also consider how this initiative could help small and medium traders, adding that Putrajaya must also provide a clear mechanism for the discount.

“We have not been able to identify how this student discount card mechanism will be carried out, whether it covers all basic student items, which stores will accept this initiative, how much price discount will be given, and so on.

“We do not want only the welfare of students to be protected. There are other parties who suffer, especially small and medium entrepreneurs.”

She said enforcement in each university must be efficient to ensure there is no abuse. – July 2, 2023.