Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has instructed university vice-chancellors to conduct a detailed study to assess the impact of the expanded scope of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on their students. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the objective of the study is to determine whether the SST expansion, which came into effect on July 1, has directly or indirectly contributed to higher learning costs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zambry explained that the government had announced increased fees for international students in Malaysia due to higher tariffs or taxes on education. ‘We will examine in detail what is meant by the alleged increase in costs,’ he stated. He mentioned that while feedback has been gathered, there might be other factors affecting local students as well.

Zambry, who is also Barisan Nasional secretary-general and UMNO Supreme Council member, spoke about the study’s scope, which includes all aspects of student learning and living costs, such as electricity bills for students in rental housing. This statement followed comments from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Student Representative Council president Mohamad Amar Aidid Mohd Zain, who voiced concerns about the financial implications of the SST expansion on students.

Mohamad Amar Aidid cited that the inclusion of digital subscriptions, electronic repairs, laundry services, and online purchases under the SST has had a direct impact on students’ cost of living. Meanwhile, Zambry mentioned that the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2025-2035, developed by the ministry, has been completed and is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in November.

Addressing reports of university students being diagnosed with HIV, Zambry noted that the ministry is entrusting institutions to monitor the situation and take necessary actions.