‘UM to explain tuition fee hike’

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya will issue an official statement on its tuition fee hike soon, said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.

“I have contacted the university’s vicechancellor and the university will issue an official statement on the matter,” he said at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

On Thursday, a group of UM students submitted a memorandum to the university demanding transparency into the tuition fee increase this semester.

The group, known as Suara Siswa UM, claimed that no notice or circular was given to students about the matter.

They said tuition fee had been increased by RM50 for local students and at least three times for international students.

Previously, Maszlee said the matter would be discussed with the university.

He said UM had autonomy on tuition fee decisions.

On another issue, one of Maszlee’s officers told off members of the press after seeing that the Simpang Renggap member of parliament almost tripped over some loose cables on the floor.

Claiming that the media had gone too far, the unidentified officer hurriedly escorted Maszlee away.

Media personnel were taken aback by the remarks.

“As an officer to a minister, he should have been more careful and refrained from saying that,” a pressman said.

Earlier, Maszlee had promised to answer questions from the media.