MOHE directs VCs to study SST impact on university students
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr 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.
'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.
- Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
Are Malaysians to brace for another ‘rude shock' after PMX unveils 'one extraordinary appreciation' underway?
MAN-ON-THE-STREET Malaysians are seemingly busy second-guessing what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has up his sleeve following his latest Facebook revelation of 'COMING: One extraordinary appreciation for Malaysians'. This prompted one commenter to state 'am impatient to know what new tax next', alluding to the latest revised and expanded Sales Tax and Service Tax (SST) which came into effect on July 1. Some wonder who is the character in PMX's meme with one commenter positing 'new Marvel hero, Cukaiman' while anther wondered whether it is 'Pokémon or Cukaimon'. Another commenter speculated that the surprise could well be in the form of: Financial assistance , perhaps in the form of additional cash assistance or public incentives; , perhaps in the form of additional cash assistance or public incentives; Economic announcements such as tax cuts, subsidies, or housing initiatives; such as tax cuts, subsidies, or housing initiatives; National recognition such as special National Day programmes or recognition for certain groups; such as special National Day programmes or recognition for certain groups; Launch of new programmes related to education, health or employment. Some cheeky commenters went to the extent of thinking the unthinkable – 'PMX is resigning'! On a serious note, the rolling out of goodies could have stemmed from the back-to-back close-door meeting that PMX had with ministers and Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya yesterday (July 14). Recall that PMX had a similar meeting with Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs on Friday (July 11). On the following day, he revealed that discussion during the meeting centred on matters related to taxation, rumours about RON95 petrol subsidies and the judiciary. Anid the current state of mounting trust deficit on PMX and his Madani machinery, it is vital that efforts are doubled to win back the trust of many disgruntled PH loyalists whose number has quadrupled following the undesirable outcome from the May 23 PKR central leadership polls. – July 15, 2025
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Financial aid for 159 UiTM sabah students
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: Dr Zambry (centre) presenting the MOHE-PTPTN Madani Education assistance. Kota Kinabalu: A total of 159 underprivileged students at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah on Monday received a one-off financial assistance of RM500 each to ease their financial burden. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the RM79,500 allocation was disbursed under the MOHE-PTPTN Madani Education Assistance Programme, a joint initiative by the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). Advertisement 'This initiative is a positive step towards ensuring that all eligible students have access to quality education regardless of their financial background, in line with MOHE and PTPTN's commitment to strengthening higher education in Malaysia. 'The aid reflects MOHE and PTPTN's concern for students in need of financial support to pursue their dreams,' he said at the presentation ceremony held at the university. Zambry said the aid was contributed by various parties through PTPTN and subsequently distributed to deserving students. He also encouraged parents to open National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) accounts for their children's future education needs. 'Parents can open an account as soon as their child is born and start saving gradually. Over time, the amount will grow and can later be used to fund higher education,' he said. Meanwhile, PTPTN, in a statement issued after the event, said since the programme's introduction in 2022, a total of RM981,000 has been disbursed to benefit 1,962 students across 16 public universities. * 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
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Data centres to boost construction jobs in 2H25
PETALING JAYA: The second half of 2025 (2H25) will see more job flows coming the way of construction companies, driven by key structural themes such as the expansion of data centres (DCs) and the ongoing development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which is gaining traction. Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research said the DC award cycle in 2H25 follows multiple award decisions for DC tenders made in 1H25, including five multibillion ringgit tenders for one US-based hyperscaler. 'For the DC segment, we take a 'big is better'' view, anticipating further inroads to be made by sector's big-three players (namely Gamuda Bhd , Sunway Construction Group Bhd and IJM Corp Bhd ), riding on competitive advantages such as balance sheet strength, track record and the ability to leverage their integrated structures, including access to building material supply chains and bundled offerings in power and water infrastructure,' HLIB Research said in a report. While concerns have arisen from reports of potential artificial intelligence (AI) chip export curbs on Malaysia, these remain unconfirmed and lack actionable details. HLIB Research added that Malaysian contractors' reliance on US and Western hyperscalers for large DC projects somewhat mitigates these uncertainties, with exemptions possible – this remains their base case. Year-to-date contracts awarded have totalled RM28.9bil, marking a 39.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth. 'In 1H25, total DC-related contracts awarded came in at RM3.3bil (31% y-o-y fall), a slower pace when compared to the frenetic pace achieved in 1H24,' it said. Beyond DC projects, HLIB Research said 2H25 could see subcontract and system package awards for the Penang light rail transit, as well as progress on major Sabah and Sarawak road projects such as the Sabah–Sarawak Link Road. As for the commercial segment, including residential projects built on commercial land, HLIB Research said uncertainty over the sales and service tax (SST) treatment could weigh on activity in the third quarter of 2025. Developers may delay project launches until there is clarity on how SST will be applied to such developments. HLIB Research said the recent removal of the SST exemption for the construction sector, from 0% to 6%, should be manageable overall as most contracts allow for cost adjustments. 'We retain our 'overweight' sector call, anticipating sustained contract flows in 2H25 anchored by DCs, infrastructure rollout and still buoyant private sector sentiment. In our view, contractors broadly can still add to order books from the DC segment as well as infrastructure projects.' HLIB Research said forward sector valuations remains palatable, trading at price-to-earning and price-to-book multiples of 19.1 times and 1.3 times, respectively.
