Questions about the $1500 Fee

As a Malaysian, I am much concerned about the way the protest about the imposition of the $1500 fee was handled. Why should such actions like marching to Parliament and the barrage of attacks on the Muldoon government take place before 'behind the scenes' negotiations were seriously considered and employed?

We are here in NZ as invited guests. Don't tell me we have the right to cheap tertiary education in NZ? Or even the right to tertiary education here? If so, then there would be no need for OSAC nor any cuts in overseas students intake.

Even in the unfortunate event of an unsuccessful plea with the government we have not much choice but to accept the fee increase - with dignity.

Why should NZ have to bear the liability of pro providing us with tertiary education and at the same same time put up with its irritations? We must remember that our domestice problems - namely the arbitrary manner the Malaysian government decreet which race should be given priority to enter universitys - are not NZ's. Further more should NZ solve them for us? It is only due to goodwill that we are here. Hence taking to the streets demanding rights for invited guests is a reflection of our student leaders' ineptitude and naive foresight.

I do agree with the fact that the $1500 fee will mean less Malaysians being able to make it here next year onwards. Further I do recognise the hardships that will eventuate.

But this it totally due to the incapability of we Malaysians in bringing equity into our educational system. Instead of fighting for rights here, save your vigour and energy for the fight back home. There you will have the justified right (emphasis on 'justified') to take to the streets and state your demands although you will most likely be blessed by the notorious ISA. Again this is another failure in our system to provide justice and we should fight for that right as well. Not here but back home where our problems regarding education originated.