logo
Mohe instructs universities to assess SST expansion's impact on students amid concerns of rising costs

Mohe instructs universities to assess SST expansion's impact on students amid concerns of rising costs

Daily Expressa day ago
Published on: Saturday, July 05, 2025
Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025
By: Bernama Text Size: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir speaks at a press conference during his visit to the family of the late Nurly Sahirah Azman, a victim of the tragic June 9 crash on the East-West Highway in Gerik, at Kampung Gong Pasir, Kerandang, Jertih. — Bernama pic SUNGAI PETANI: The Ministry of Higher Education (Mohe) has instructed university vice-chancellors to conduct a detailed study to assess the impact of the expanded scope of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on their students. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said the objective of the study is to determine whether the SST expansion, which came into effect on July 1, has directly or indirectly contributed to higher learning costs.
Advertisement 'We will examine in detail what is meant by the alleged increase in costs. What has been announced by the government relates to higher fees for international students coming to study in Malaysia due to increased tariffs or taxes on their education,' he said. 'We've already communicated this matter and gathered feedback. However, there may be other elements, either directly or indirectly, affecting local students as well,' said Zambry, who is also Barisan Nasional secretary-general and Umno Supreme Council member, to reporters after officiating the Umno Merbok Division meeting here today. Expanding on the matter, Zambry said the study would cover all aspects related to student learning, including utility costs such as electricity for those living in rental housing. Previously, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Student Representative Council president Mohamad Amar Aidid Mohd Zain was reported as saying that the expanded scope of SST, effective since Tuesday, was believed to have financial implications for students. According to Mohamad Amar Aidid, the inclusion of digital subscriptions, electronic repairs, laundry services and online purchases under the SST has had a direct impact on students' cost of living. Meanwhile, Zambry said the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2025–2035, developed by the ministry, has been finalised and is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this November. On reports of university students being diagnosed with HIV, Zambry said the ministry is leaving it to the respective institutions to monitor the situation and take appropriate action. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Laos FM to attend the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting in KL
Laos FM to attend the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting in KL

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Laos FM to attend the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting in KL

VIENTIANE, July 6 (Bernama-KPL): The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, will lead the Laos delegation to the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related ministerial meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from Tuesday to Friday (July 8-11). Laos News Agency (KPL) reported that these meetings will be held under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025, with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability.' On the sidelines of the event, the Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from Asean member states and dialogue partners. - Bernama-KPL

Ahmad Zahid: BN confident cooperation with PH will result in GE16 victory
Ahmad Zahid: BN confident cooperation with PH will result in GE16 victory

Borneo Post

time2 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Ahmad Zahid: BN confident cooperation with PH will result in GE16 victory

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi gestures during his speech at the officiation of the Gopeng UMNO Division Delegates' Meeting today. – Bernama photo GOPENG (July 6): Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident that the cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) can ensure that they retain the seats won in the last general election, its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He said it was based on observations and results of the Mahkota and Ayer Kuning by-elections, and pointed out that BN had secured the Mahkota seat with a majority of 5,166 votes in the 15th general election (GE15), but managed to win with a majority of 20,648 votes in the by-election, thanks to the partnership with PH. 'The same with Ayer Kuning, during GE15, we won with a majority of 2,213 votes then when the by-election happened, we won with a majority of 5,006 votes. That's the type of increase we can see from the cooperation with PH,' he said during his speech at the officiation of the Gopeng Umno Division Delegates' Meeting here today, in the presence of Perak Umno chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Gopeng Umno Division chief Datuk Hang Tuah Din. He said that the cooperation with PH should be a guide and reflection for leaders and the grassroots as the strategy is sound and suitable to retain existing power. 'We cannot be proud and arrogant and want to go solo. This is the current reality and in this way, we can also become dominant in the national political arena,' he said. Meanwhile, Saarani said Perak Umno will focus on attracting support from non-party members as its main strategy in maintaining BN's wins in GE16. – Bernama ahmad zahid hamidi barisan nasional general election politics

Egypt, EU Discuss Ways To Enhance Cooperation On Migration Issue
Egypt, EU Discuss Ways To Enhance Cooperation On Migration Issue

Barnama

time2 hours ago

  • Barnama

Egypt, EU Discuss Ways To Enhance Cooperation On Migration Issue

CAIRO, July 6 (Bernama-QNA) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, in a phone call on Sunday with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and the European Union (EU) on the issue of migration. According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Abdelatty emphasised the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that links migration to development while tackling the root causes of irregular migration. He emphasised the need to strengthen coordination based on mutual interests to support stability and development in the region.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store