DISCOUNT CARD: Second year students from University Malaya is pictured together with the replica of 1Malaysia Student Discount Card. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Ng Zhun Ye regards the 1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KADS1M) as a godsend for all students.
The student of a private college in this federal capital is able to cut down on his otherwise just over RM500 monthly expenditure, which also goes for buying books and stationery and tools to support his Internet usage.
His sentiments are shared by Azeqa Ahmad, a student of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), who was surprised at the range of goods and services and percentage of discounts made available for card users.
“This card helps students to exercise thrift as well. For example, I am able to save RM5 when I buy stationery for RM20,” said the third-year humanities student.
KADS1M was introduced on July 2, with a launch by Deputy Prime Minister r Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the idea coming from undergraduates themselves following a National Student Consultative Council meeting on Nov 21 last year.
PROUD OWNER: Mahsa University College Student Sharifah Norhazimah Wan Ahmad shows her 1Malaysia Student Discount Card. — Bernama photo
The introduction of the card did not cost the government anything.
Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, in replying to a question in the Dewan Rakyat, said the initiative was made available through the corporate social responsibility of Bank Rakyat, which was coordinating with the relevant companies in providing the discounts.
She said they were also responsible in distributing the cards. As of this month, 927,397 cards had been distributed.
Meanwhile, Azeqa suggested that companies participating in the discount programme display a KADS1M logo to notify students.
The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry introduced KADS1M with the objective of helping almost 1.5 million students of public and private tertiary institutions in the country to reduce the burden of their cost of living.
Students stand to get five to 60 per cent discounts for goods and services from more than 2,600 outlets of 264 participating companies.
The goods and services include books, stationery, sports attire, transport and accommodation, health clinic, automotive workshop and recreation services.
Rohani said the card, now confined to full-time students in local public and private tertiary institutions, would also be given to Malaysians studying overseas and part-time university students. — Bernama