The students, who numbered about 20, said the fees had caused their tuition to increase to RM5,000 per semester.

They are seeking a refund of the fees through an agreement with Maszlee Malik.

They said they had met and discussed the issue with Maszlee and the vice-chancellor on Aug 19.

Maszlee said he would look into the refund and ordered UTM to allow the students to change courses.

However, they said they had yet to receive any updates in writing.

According to the students, the fees had been imposed since 2015 although UTM said their seniors were not required to pay them as they were “subsidised”.

They said new students were asked to pay as the fees were by then no longer subsidised.

They have held several gatherings over the issue at the university and outside the Parliament building.