Skepticism
01:16 21-09-2025 • Random thoughts by: Kalvin Carefour Johnny
In a nutshell:
- University isn't necessary; we have colleges, cars, electricity. The same degree is available nearby or abroad. Should I give up?
- God define my worth, not degrees or billionaires. I’ll return RM4000 in waived fees—modern slavery and oppressive contracts beware.
- Reject PTPTN-style loans, push back against harassment for leaving. My parents funded me; no online trolls matter.
- People worldwide face similar manipulations. Education is marketed as essential, yet costly.
- Choices are designed to trap us—appear or succeed, and face debt, interest, or reliance on money.
- Malaysia's political claim of religious finance is just rebranded fiat. Real success isn’t in debt or appearances.
Seems like I don't have to go to university for degree studies. We already have college. Don't need accommodation. We have cars, electricity at home.
It's just that the same brand of university offers that degree, but it's in Peninsular Malaysia. The same degree I want, in one day, is available at different college brands but at least in the same state and nearby city of mine.
Should I give up on obtaining a degree?
We have AI nowadays. I don't need to be an academician to define success as becoming a billionaire. My worth depends on God, not the government nor billionaires.
I'm going to ditch the degree and pay all of the waived fees back to my college. Worth RM4000. Yes, it's slavery, but I have the right to defend myself.
Modern slavery vibes. Blind contract agreements, education tied to PTPTN-like loans... yeah.
I was harassed for my choice to withdraw from university. If we can pay for university fees, then we can pay for leaving, too—without fear. I'm glad it's not PTPTN money but my parents'. They always saved me, but not even one stranger or so-called hero, keyboard warrior, or online troll in the Fediverse. So I tell them, don't be arrogant.
Tell me that people outside Malaysia are also experiencing the same as I am.
Capitalists are good at manipulating citizens.
They portray education (according to their definition) as essential (while we must pay for all of it).
They offered many choices of educational institutions—this college, that college; this brand, that brand. So many. Public or private institutions—they gave us choices and taught and advised us on these choices. But the point is, choosing to join them to look (their definition of) good, or rejecting them and being prepared for our self-image to be challenged by others—people will take for granted: “Oh, this one only has SPM, lah. Can only do kuli-kuli work.” “Why don't you study? You're only wasting family money and doing nothing.”
If we admit to institutions and succeed, we face other problems and headaches—like long-term debt repayment, interest rates, relying solely on money to solve problems instead of thinking of efficient ways...
Capitalist tactics in Malaysia:
We're a middle-right political party.
I doubt that Malaysia, with the best religious financial system that people claim, is truly top in the world. It's still fiat money, just rebranded as a “service fee” replacing the “interest” label.
Kalvin Carefour Johnny