Kedah opposition leader Mahdzir Khalid has alleged that the PAS-led state government failed to properly manage the state-owned Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) causing the institution to face serious financial trouble and adversely affect its academic and administrative staff.

He claimed lecturers’ and staff members’ salary deductions for banks, Social Security Organisation (Socso), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and tithe were made as usual but the amount did not reach the parties concerned.

“The proof is there among some college lecturers, who were shocked after receiving notices from the banks that they had defaulted on their hire purchase payments.

“This is an abuse of staff by the state government,” he said in a press conference in Alor Setar today.

Mahdzir noted that Kuin had also deferred the 13 percent salary revision already implemented by the federal government for its staff.

According to him, Kuin had only two financial sources namely, the state government, and student fees through the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

“The state government created many subsidiaries for Kuin such as Insan Medic that manages the medical faculty at a RM350,000 monthly expenditure.

“In the recent state assembly session, Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak said Kuin would be taking in 50 students for the medical course, and 45 students have been offered.

“As at May 2, only eight have enrolled, of whom two have fully paid their fees for one semester,” he said.

He further noted that Kuin had also increased the course fees from RM60 to RM200 per credit hour.

“The glaring increase enforced since July this year and approved by the Kuin board of directors will burden the students who are mainly from the rural areas.

“This is inconsistent with Pakatan’s endeavour to abolish the PTPTN for free education,” he said, adding the image of the college established by the state in 1995 has been tarnished.

- Bernama