Three students caught with drugs suspended

We will not compromise on such activities, warns Idris

baiti@thestar.com.my

JOHOR BARU: The three students detained by police after 1.2kg of ganja was found in their hostel have been suspended by their university.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said they would be suspended until the police had wrapped up their probe.

“We will not compromise on any illegal activities such as drugs involving students and will closely monitor the situation,” he said after closing the Duta Jauhar Congress 3.0 event at UniKL in Pasir Gudang here yesterday.

Duta Jauhar is a state government programme to encourage the involvement of undergraduates in state initiatives to help boost the local socio-economy.

The three who are studying animal science, aquaculture and environmental science, were arrested here about 10.30am on Thursday last week after they were found with the drugs.

They tested positive for drug use and have been remanded until March 30 under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Under the Act, anyone convicted for possession of more than 200g of ganja faces the mandatory death sentence.

Separately, the Higher Education Ministry

This year, we hope to get at least RM4bil and we are confident that we can do it because more borrowers are settling their outstanding balances.

Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh

is confident of collecting at least RM4bil in repayment from National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers this year.

“Last year, we managed to collect RM3.4bil which was more than our target of RM2bil.

“This year, we hope to get at least RM4bil and we are confident that we can do it because more borrowers are settling their outstanding balances,” he said.

Idris said PTPTN gives out loans to about 200,000 students each year.

It was reported that 586,863 borrowers have been blacklisted by Immigration for failing to pay back a total of RM11.6bil in loans, as of Jan 31.