Hisham: We’ll counter education aid charges 

BATU PAHAT: The Government will unveil in good time details of the aid extended to students nationwide to debunk the charges levelled against it by the opposition, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said. 

“They fell into a trap, as I have proof that the Government spends some RM3bil on school aid annually,” he said. “We have the figures in detail and we will compile them as further proof of the Government’s efforts.”  

He said he had waited to see what the opposition would come up with, and once the figures are made known, they would not have any more grounds to criticise the Government. 

“This will show how far the opposition will go to discredit the Government, with their countless attacks that it has not been doing enough for the people,” he said. 

He explained that the fund was spent on the milk aid programme, wider loans of textbooks for students as well as to compensate for the abolishment of school and exam fees.  

Hishammuddin, who is also Umno Youth chief, said the Barisan Nasional manifesto would ensure prosperity and stability for the people.  

“I am also thankful that the manifesto also focused on education. We have fulfilled our promises on education that we made in the last general election,” he said, adding that, the opposition only promised but never delivered.  

Speaking to pressmen after performing the groundbreaking ceremony for SM Sains Batu Pahat, Hishammuddin also slammed the DAP for using its manifesto to attack the government’s policy.  

“If a party’s manifesto is more towards saying bad things about other parties, especially the Government, then it has no vision,” he said, noting that a manifesto was to reflect a party’s vision.  

“If we were to find fault with the opposition, I can compile a book.”  

The school, costing RM46.5mil, is expected to be ready by September next year.  

--THE STAR