Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh has pledged to take personal responsibility of any public university students who were recently reported to have been starving due to their financial difficulties .

Idris had at the same time issued a directive to the universities' administration office - including the deputy vice-chancellor as well as the Student Affairs and Alumni’s offices - 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 KPT has also issued a directive requesting students who have nothing to eat, to report to the ministry and the university authorities 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, near Besut today.

Also present were KPT secretary-general Zaini Ujang, Higher Education Department director-general Asma Ismail, Terengganu Education director Shafruddin Ali Hussin, and SMK Tengku Mahmud 2 principal Zainon Che Salleh.

Idris, who is also Besut MP, had taken note of the university students' issue - which was due to the high cost of living - when it 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 further reiterated that there were various sources of financing to help the students among them: the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN), student cards, zakat (tithe), charitable funds and endowments.

"Part-time job opportunities are also available on campuses, paying between RM3 and RM10 per hour. I hope people will not manipulate this issue," he said.

- Bernama

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