The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has instructed university leaders to carry out a comprehensive assessment of how the broader scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) may be affecting student finances.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said the directive aims to identify whether the recent SST expansion, which came into force last Tuesday, is directly or indirectly contributing to an increase in the cost of tertiary education.
“We intend to closely examine claims of rising expenses. The government’s announcement primarily addressed increased charges for international students, due to higher tariffs or taxes impacting their education,” Zambry explained during a recent media briefing.
He noted that while preliminary feedback has been collected, the ministry wants to ensure that all possible impacts, including those affecting local students, are thoroughly reviewed.
Zambry said the study will take into account all factors related to student life and education, including utility expenses like electricity for those renting off-campus housing.
This comes after Universiti Utara Malaysia student council president, Mohamad Amar Aidid Mohd Zain, highlighted that the extended SST coverage, which now includes digital services, electronic repairs, laundry, and online purchases – is placing additional financial strain on students.
In a related update, Zambry announced that the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2025-2035 has been completed and is scheduled for launch by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in November.
On a separate issue concerning reports of HIV cases among university students, the minister stated that the matter is being handled by the respective institutions, which are expected to monitor and respond appropriately.