BESUT (Bernama) – Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh has pledged to take responsibility of public university students who had to starve due to financial difficulties.
Idris had at the same time issued a directive to the universities’ administration office, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA) office to identify the students involved and report the matter immediately to him and the Higher Education Ministry (KPT).
“My personal commitment is to ensure that no students will ever go hungry in future.
“The Higher Education Ministry too has issued a directive requesting students who have nothing to eat to report to the Ministry and the University’s authority and God willing we will take care of their needs,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a presentation and opening ceremony of the NBOS-PILS KPT Science Laboratory at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tengku Mahmud 2 yesterday.
Higher Education Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh speaking with students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Mahmud 2 – BERNAMA
Also present were the KPT secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, Higher Education Department director-general, Datuk Prof Dr Asma Ismail, Terengganu Education director, Shafruddin Ali Hussin and SMK Tengku Mahmud 2, principal Zainon Che Salleh.
Idris, who is also Besut Member of Parliament had taken note of the university students’ issue which was due to the high cost of living and the issue had gone viral on Facebook.
However he said the issue should not be exaggerated over the mass media as KPT and the universities had always been concerned over students’ welfare and had taken various initiatives to assist the students involved.
He also reiterated that there were various sources of financing to help the students among them the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN), student cards, zakat, charitable funds and endowments.
“Part-time job opportunities are also available on campus paying between RM3 to RM10 per hour. I hope, people will not manipulate this issue,” he said.
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