GST won't make UiTM students starve to death - Dr Ibrahim

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students were advised not to make a big deal on the issue of practicing 'cooking their own meals' instead of eating outside after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Former UiTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shah said that this is not a factor that can make them starve to death.

He was commenting on the suggestion to 'cook your own meal' by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, who visited UiTM Shah Alam on Saturday to deliver a speech at a forum on GST.

Dr Ibrahim said Ahmad Maslan’s presence at the university was to clarify the issue of GST but it has been exaggerated by certain quarters.

"I request UiTM students to be a little rational. Don’t let emotions overcome you and be angry at the government without a reason,” he said.

Dr Ibrahim when reiterating Ahmad Maslan’s clarification on the issue which did not go down well with UiTM students said the minister’s speech yesterday only implied that the suggestion to cook their own meals was targeted at students who stay in rented houses.

He also said the students ought to be thankful to the government for giving over 90 per cent subsidy.

On Saturday Ahmad Maslan drew flak from UiTM students for allegedly suggesting them to 'cook their own meals’ to alleviate them from bearing the burden of GST, while the students argued that his suggestion was impossible as universities forbid students from cooking in campus.