RECENTLY, a video clip went viral featuring a lecturer from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) scolding one of her students for attending their online class using a mobile phone instead of a laptop.
The lecturer berated the student for not being properly equipped to attend the class despite being in his fifth semester, citing it would disrupt his studies.
“The price of a computer is only RM800, what’s your problem?”
“That’s why I can’t sit with B40 people, these people only think more about other things than education,” she remarked in the footage.
Since then, UiTM vice-chancellor Datuk Roziah Mohd Janor said she would taking action against the lecturer, who is said be employed there on contract.
Oddly enough, daughter of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Nurulhidayah Zahid shared her two cents worth on the issue on Instagram.
“In my opinion, the lecturer did not insult the B40. In my view, she said those things because she was beyond disappointed. Very disappointed.
“Despite the financial difficulties, the student should have been more responsible and prioritised (what is needed),” she added.
She added that there were many from the B40 group who had lost their parents at a young age, or while studying who went on to become successful.
“There are many who do part time jobs to buy a laptop. There are many who can help to buy a laptop such as NGOs, government representatives, state assemblyperson, representatives of the people,” The Star reported Nurul Hidayah as saying.
However, her comments were ill-received by netizens, who took to social media to criticise her for being unable to B40’s plight.
User Adrian Wong queried:
Echoing Wong’s sentiments, user Brandon Leong added:
Netizen Adrian Syril retorted: 
Put your money where your mouth is
This was not the first time Nurul Hidayah got caught in a controversy for her apparent insensitivity towards the plight of the poor and downtrodden.
In November last year, she caused an uproar when she claimed that Malaysia did not have any period poverty issues when reports came in that young girls are resorting to pregnancy as they could not afford to buy sanitary napkins.
“I am aware alert about it (sic). But not in Malaysia. Where are the high menstrual pad prices? I do research on pads and I launched a menstrual pad brand so I [would] know,” she said in response to a comment on Instagram back then.
Back to the recent case, user Loke Cilane advised Nurul Hidayah to help the student since she comes from privileged background.
Netizen Rachel Tong remarked: “Talk so much, you donate laptops to those who can’t afford la since your daddy super rich.” – March 31, 2022.
