EATING one meal a day, fasting on a regular basis and surviving on a loaf of bread for two days, are among the things some Universiti Malaya (UM) students have to do.
These students, mostly from the B40 group, adopt a frugal lifestyle to ensure they have something to eat the next day.
With insufficient pocket money, extreme budgeting has become part and parcel of their lives. At the cafeteria, they are usually the ones who will pick the cheapest meal available.
Berita Harian reporters recently delved into the lives of these students and found that among the menu of choice for them were instant noodles and nasi bujang, which comprises rice, egg, soup, and sambal belacan, costing between RM2 and RM2.50.
UM Malay Studies Academy student, Ilmah Ismail, 21, from Kampung Keramat, Semporna, Sabah, said she ate a single meal a day to save money.
“Sometimes, lecturers will cook something for us, the poor students. Apart from that, student associations also chip in by providing RM5 food coupons, but not everyone can get it.
“As for me, I get only RM100 per month, courtesy of Tamanni Scholarship Project, for food and drinks.”
Tamanni Scholarship Project is initiated by the Serdang Harmony Youth Association, Bunga Raya Foundation, Ikram Youth Academy, Buruj Foundation and Ikram Malaysia Organisation.
Dentistry student Nur Atikah Ghazali, 22, from Bachok, Kelantan, said she ate only RM1 nasi lemak every day.
“Sometimes, I prepare boiled eggs on the go. This is because most of my money goes to paying rent, off campus.
“I stay in an apartment unit with nine students near the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. We pay RM267 each, not including electricity and water.
“The owner allows only four people to stay in the unit but we have no choice as we don’t have enough money.”
Nur Atikah said her lorry driver father made between RM500 and RM1,000 per month.
Language and linguistics student Muhammad Nurfathi Abdul Hamid, 23, from Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, said it was normal for him to eat only one meal a day.
“Usually at night, I will either have nasi bujang, bread or RM2 naan. I take part in university organised activities on and off campus because there’s food (served).
“On some days, I have to fast. Throughout my studies, I’ve been very careful with my money and spend them only on food. I have no motorcycle or car,” he said.
Nurfathi said his family relied only on his father’s pension of RM1,200 a month. His mother is a housewife.
“I am grateful to receive a Public Service Department scholarship.”
Accounting student, Muhamad Aiman Basyir Mohammad, 22, from Kuantan, Pahang, said he had to borrow money from friends to have a RM4 meal, which comprised rice, fish and vegetables.
“At least three days in a week, I will ask (to borrow) money from my friends,” he said.
“The thought of quitting studies did cross my mind but my friends advised against it. They said I have to continue for the sake of my family.”
Another student, Muhammad Izzat Hakimi Abd Halim, 20, said a fellow student was forced to quit studies due to financial problems.
“I usually fast or eat only one meal a day,” he said, adding that he needed at least RM10 per day for food. -- Additional reporting by Ahmad Suhael Adnan