RECENTLY, a random netizen on the X platform stole the limelight with a hard hitting statement.
According to Saroarrr, people from the T20 category should not be getting scholarship due to their financial status.
She added that the “But they work hard,” excuse will not fly as people of the lower income group work hard too.
“If you think you worked hard, try to imagine those B40 people who have to help their mother do business, or climb a tree to get an internet connection. Many possess the merit and you are taking their opportunity from them,” said Saroarrr.
T20 shouldn’t get scholarship. If you can afford, you don’t need financial assistance. “But they work hard.” Kalau kau rasa kau work hard, kau bayangkan B40 yang kena tolong mak meniaga, yang kena panjat pokok for internet. Ramai je reach the merit tapi kau amik opportunity dia.
— Saroarrr (@sara_nikka) January 20, 2025
When such a sticky subject is being discussed, expect many haters and flamers to encroach in the comment section. But the feedback is illuminating so here goes.
Netizen Adendum Lobai said it is not about the financial status of the person, but in the spirit of equal opportunity that those who work hard deserves the scholarship.
“Let’s stick to that primary principle before chopping them into various categories based on poor, rich, town, village, sea, river, beautiful, ugly, thin, fat and more,” he said.
Rosie said people can’t even differentiate between scholarship and bursary.
In support of her statement, Ahmad Ebak Malik added that a scholarship is not a financial aid.
“The name is scholarship. For scholars. Do you know what is a scholar? To make it simple, smart people, regardless of anyone,” he said.
Then there was Afif who said it was wrong for people of the T20 category to take a scholarship by lying about their payslip.
“If the scholarship isn’t about the pay class and based on merit, this is not a problem since the T20 did not lie or broke the law to apply for it,” he said.
ishaq further pointed out that Malaysians in the T20 category are not necessarily rich.
Echoing his statement was ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔰𝔰 who said her parents from Kelantan had a total income of RM18,000.
Both were teachers from government schools and she has eight siblings with four of them still in the university.
“Finally this semester I could quit my part time job after two and a half years after getting into MARA. Don’t make a statement and assume all T20 are the same,” she said.
Lady Eos said, “What about a member of the T20 who has five children and the mother is taking care of the home? There are many levels of T20.”
The many pertinent points here will indeed make a sublime food for thought for those looking to debate such a sticky topic. But what is your verdict?—Jan 21, 2025
Main image: BPMB