Why do students call the excuse of weak finances unacceptable?

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Student Groups Reject Weak Finances Excuse for Broken PTPTN Pledge

Student organisations have deemed the excuse of weak public finances as unacceptable for Pakatan Harapan's failure to honour its promise to defer federal student loan repayments for low-income earners. They argue that the financial constraints cited by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) chairman, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, should have been foreseeable based on previously available information. This stance highlights a fundamental disagreement over the government's fiscal transparency and its commitment to electoral promises.
Previous Information Should Have Signalled Feasibility

Student groups contend that the government's financial situation, which Wan Saiful cited as worse than anticipated and a reason for not deferring repayments for borrowers earning below RM4,000 monthly, should not have come as a surprise. They insist that the information available prior to the pledge being made would have been sufficient to determine its feasibility. This perspective suggests a belief that the administration either failed to conduct adequate due diligence or was aware of potential financial limitations but proceeded with the promise regardless.
Broken Promise Compared to Previous Administration

The announcement by Wan Saiful that PTPTN cannot currently afford to defer repayments, and that doing so would jeopardise the agency's ability to fund future students, has drawn strong criticism. Muhammad Faizzuzzudin Mohd Zai, president of Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Malaysia (Gamis), expressed deep disappointment, stating that Pakatan Harapan's broken promise makes them "worse than the previous BN (administration)." This comparison underscores a perceived regression in the government's accountability and its willingness to uphold commitments made to the electorate.
Lack of Sustainable Plan and Lip Service Allegations

Wong Yang Ke, president of the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany), echoed the sentiment, rejecting Wan Saiful's explanation and noting its similarity to reasons previously given by the Barisan Nasional. Wong criticised the pact for blaming the country's finances for their inability to fulfil promises, calling for a sustainable plan instead of what he described as mere "lip service." He pointed out the absence of concrete steps or detailed plans on how the administration intends to eventually fulfil this pledge, indicating a broader concern about the government's policy execution and transparency.

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Why do students call the excuse of weak finances unacceptable?

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