They said it had created problems for students who were already on campus or on their way from different states.

Universiti Malaya Students Union president Muhammad Haziq Azfar Ishak said there was no announcement for students from Sabah who may have arrived earlier and who were in need of a place to quarantine themselves.

He added they had also received complaints from students who were facing financial difficulties.

Haziq said such announcements needed to be made earlier. “This has happened twice before. The first involved students from the red zone and now on the postponement of student registration. Every instruction needs proper planning as it involves students from different states,” he told FMT.

He said there was no further instruction from Putrajaya about the students who were now on campus and those who had asked for financial assistance.

“We understand (the instruction) involves the health and safety of students but the way it is handled is not proper,” he said, urging students not to come into campus even though the student registration date was tomorrow.

Earlier today, the ministry urged higher education institutions to postpone all physical and face-to-face student admissions, given the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country.

In a statement, the ministry said the decision was made following concerns voiced by students, parents and the public following the rise in infections, just a few days before the admission date for new university students.

But Universiti Malaysia Terengganu student representative Nur Aina Zafirah Noor Azhar said those who were already on their way should be allowed into campus.

“Some students complained they had bought bus tickets while those from Sabah have already arrived. We are now hoping those from Sabah will quarantine themselves for 14 days,” she said.

Today, the health ministry announced an alarming 287 Covid-19 cases — the highest so far.

Some of the students have taken their complaints to Twitter, expressing their disappointment over the announcement. Account holder @wafanadira96 said her father would not be able to help her financially. “This is sad. Forgive me father.”

Another Twitter account holder, @ashrafzailani said some of his campus mates, who had just reached the campus gates after riding their motorcycles for two hours, were not allowed into the campus.

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