MP Says “No Gadget Allocation” For Students But Gives Smartphone As Competition Prize

There have been no doubts over what school and university students are going through on a daily basis with online learning. On top of this, they also have to deal with Internet problems and some underprivileged families have resorted to sharing one device among all their children.

To deal with these issues, Malaysians have been looking to the government to provide a solution for these underprivileged students but as this netizen pointed out, there has been a clear disparity in politicians’ priorities. Twitter user Zaki Shah (@zakishh25) called-out  Teluk Bahang State Assemblyman (ADUN), YB Zolkifly Md Lazim who in an interview with Utusan Malaysia said that there is currently no provision involving laptops or other gadgets for students conducting online learning in their homes.

“I did not make this provision (laptops and gadgets). But, students can go to the service center in Sungai Rusa and use the computers there for their PdPR session.”

The question arose when four siblings from Sungai Rusa (area under Teluk Bahang constituency) reportedly had to share one smartphone and take turns to complete their school work.

Zaki pointed out that while the YB said there will be no allocation for gadgets despite the siblings’ suffering, he organised a competition in which the main prize is a smartphone.

Smlm ada 4 beradik susah yg hanya ada satu smartphone saja dirumah mohon bantuan YB Teluk Bahang utk sesi pembelajaran dirumah. Tapi YB kata "tiada peruntukan". Hari ni announce Pertandingan Like & Share FB dia hadiah utama sebuah telefon bimbit. ?

Priority ke laut. pic.twitter.com/W4i0JdOR6S

— Zaki Shah (@zakishh25) January 25, 2021

“Yesterday there were four siblings who had to share one smartphone and they seeked help from YB Teluk Bahang but he said there’s “no allocation”. But he can announce a competition with a smartphone as a main prize.”

“What are his priorities?”

The YB also said the one computer at the service centre is free for public use and he added that the Education Ministry is also looking into providing Education TV facilities for students in the near future so that all students can attend the PdPR session.

Netizens called out the Bersatu party member for selfishly putting his political desires before the welfare of his constituents. World of Buzz has reached out to YB Zolkifly Md Lazim for a statement explaining his side of the story.

Do our leaders have their priorities clear during troubling times like these? Let us know what you think!

Also read: “Flood & pandemic but they’re still selfish!” M’sians Criticize PPBM For Conducting Meeting