Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government will decide on the status of 330 Malaysian students at Universitas Andalas in Padang, tomorrow.

He said the cabinet meeting tomorrow would discuss and find a solution to the problem caused by the earthquake which destroyed Padang last Wednesday.

Universitas Andalas had asked Malaysian medical students to return and continue studies on Oct 12.

NONE "Despite the call to return, I believe that the university is in the process of evaluating its ability to conduct studies," he said.

Khaled ( left ) said the government would have to find ways to resolve the problem as several students were sponsored by the government while others spent their own money.

"It also depends on whether we can tranfer their credits to other

universities in Indonesia or Malaysia.

"We must also see whether there are places at our public or private

institutions of higher learning."

Higher costs

Khaled said most of the students had settled their fees for the year and

would incur higher costs if they were to continue their studies in Malaysia.

"This is because they have to make new payments. The the cost of studying in Malaysia is a lot higher than in Indonesia."

He added donations collected for earthquake victims should also be distributed to Malaysian students as they were also victims.

"The donation money can be used to help Malaysian students as they will face financial difficulties if they are to transfer to other universities," he said.

On another note, Khaled warned students that stern action would be taken against those involved in campaigning in the Bagan Pinang by-election.

The ministry would not compromise and would act against those who flout the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971.

- Bernama