Students' protests against price hikes: Looking beyond their books and exams

We all agreed that the recent price hikes of some essential items had been indeed a grave disappointment to all of us. Previously, the Umno-led BN federal government had pledged that there are other channels and alternatives to address the current economic uncertainties as well as to keep its treasury filled all the time.

But what came otherwise? The price hikes that came in a sudden, as a surprise and it was announced only at night instead of in the daytime. Why not giving the announcement in the broad daylight? Why is it so fishy doing it only at night? What are motives then?

Do aware that these price hikes had multiple affects on all levels in our communities, be it the working communities, the business communities, wealthy people or even the students.

So, for those who are of narrow minded, please be informed. In grieve this price hikes do affects badly on the students especially, because they are the one in the lowest income group. What is the source of their income? Yes, first from their struggling parents, then study loans and they have to repay them too, then scholarships to support their studies, tuition, books and other study references as well, lastly their own savings from the piggy banks.

Then their costs, room rentals, buying the reference books, keeping up with the recent news and updates (as responsible citizens), participating in outdoor activities, handphone, fuel for their transport, lodgings, clothing and so on. Because of our students are getting more hi-tech nowadays their commitments from every aspects would definitely increase as well.

As such, the fact that students are badly affected by these price hikes are real and certainly it would also affect their studies in the long run.

And we are glad and applaud that these younger generations of students are getting more informed and aware of what are really happening around them these days, be it socio-economy or politically. But to us, if they possess two of these kind of awareness, it is already a distinction being a student.

The students now are getting more aware of their surroundings and looking beyond their books. They are no longer tied to their respective classrooms, looking at their books from day to night, memorizing their notes to be readied for exams and so on. These are the things of the past and students are now looking and striving forward in a very much mobile and creative way.

Well, this is the kind that scares the Umno and BN conservative kind of rule and governing. The Umno dominated BN coalition federal government is actually unprepared of such situation which they often label these new generations as "rebellion", "memberontak", "tidak taat", "kurang ajar", "troublemakers", "biadap" and so on.

Very often the views and opinions of these younger generations, particularly were rejected by the federal government as being anti-establishment instead of constructive criticisms and opinions. The Umno and BN leaders often view such situation as threatening as they are rocking their position that they had been enjoying for past decades.

The more these students and younger generations are aware and well-informed, the better it is for our nation. We all must remember that this set of young people are the future leaders of our nation. We cannot just let all those Umno and BN conservative leaders continue ruling our nation till their age of 100 years. They are already brain drained by now!

The views and opinions of these younger generations must be taken into account seriously. If Umno and BN were to continue arresting these people and putting them in jails hoping to shut them out forever, it will not do any good for our nation.

By enforcing this police state kind of rule, Umno and BN leaders are actually looking backwards and they dare not look forward. Looking at such acts, we believed they are not going to change at all. So why some us are still supporting them. What could you gain in the long run, for you, your family, your grandchildren, and your future generations?

For sure, they will certainly blame you for not doing enough. They will blame you because of their sufferings and grievances due to your vote and support for Umno and BN. They will blame you because there aren't any sufficient freedom to view their points and make public their points and facts. They will blame you because of the injustice in our nation they have to undergo.

Therefore, students protesting against price hikes, against injustice, against political supremacy, against political backwardness, against dictatorship, and against all sorts of draconian laws and policies should be encouraged and looked beyond.

In order to provide these students and younger generations with more room to air their view and to participate actively in our nation's socio-economy and political arena, the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and the ISA should be abolished as soon as possible in order to pave way for a new democratic nation.