(Raub, 15th) The Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association received complaints from parents stating that about 500 students at a public university in Raub, Pahang, do not have university dormitories to live in, the number of rental houses nearby is limited, and there are no public buses running around, causing great trouble to the students.
The association urged the university management to pay attention to the problems faced by students and take steps to resolve them so that students will not be unable to attend classes at the university and their studies will be affected.
Nadzim Johan: No bus travel between university and city
The association's president Nadzim Johan, said in a statement: "Have the universities forgotten their responsibilities? Are they only admitting students without considering their welfare?"
"Students and parents also told our association that there are very few houses for rent near the university and there are no buses running between the university and Raub town, which is very inconvenient."
He said each university student has to pay RM300 to RM500 in rent, which does not include living expenses, daily necessities, internet access and transportation, which together cost up to RM1,000 per month.
He added that the government aid students receive is only RM300 to RM500 per month and that the students do not come from wealthy families.
Universities urged to consider online teaching
Nadzim Johan called on the university to consider adopting online teaching or transferring students to other institutions with more dormitories.
"So far, about 500 students have not been allocated university accommodation or rented accommodation outside the university."
Students warned by university management He said the students complained to the university management, but were warned by the management that disciplinary action would be taken against the students if the matter was exposed in the media.
"They have nowhere to complain and hope the Ministry of Higher Education will be informed of the incident."
Recently, there were reports on social media that parents of students were lamenting that a public university in Raub was unable to accommodate students in dormitories, a problem that has been repeating itself for decades.