I was a 'hungry' student too, says higher education minister

Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh said today that he went hungry too when he was a student, but lack of money was not always the issue.

"The problem of (university) students going hungry does occur. At times I go hungry too (when I was a student)," he said,

"But sometimes it is not because of the lack of money and they do have cash," said Idris at a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya today.

He also reiterated that the case of students starving because of financial woes is not as prevalent as is being made out to be.

Idris also has a solution for students in dire financial straits: get a job.

He said the university students can always enter the workforce while still studying, and they will get more money to spend.

Mixing in the workforce will also help familiarise the students with the issues of the working world, he added.

Reminiscing, he related that he, too, had to take on several jobs to cover his living expenses as a student.

Case now closed

"Working (while studying is not new). I, too, worked when I was a student (in the United States). I have delivered pizza for Domino's, worked at a gas station and was even a (car) jockey. I had no problem working because it will mean extra money to help pay my way while studying," he said.

Commenting on claims that students were going hungry, Idris said the deputy vice-chancellor for student affairs and alumni at every public university and education institution in the country has been ordered to identify and help affected students as their welfare was a priority for the government.

He said the welfare of students was well looked after by the Student Welfare Fund set up for all public universities with RM15 million in its coffers.

Thus, he considered the matter of students going hungry as settled. "As far as I am concerned, the case is closed and there shouldn't be any more such issues."

He said that each and every university should have adequate funds for itself and he has ordered all institutions of higher learning to put an end to the problem.

Idris also asked all parties including the media to play their part in helping to disseminate the available welfare mechanisms to help affected students and not instead exploit the matter and spread false facts.

Claims that students were going hungry due to skyrocketing living costs have become prevalent of late, with some students claiming that they were starving.

Government officials and ministers have refuted the allegations as being unfounded. -Mkini