The policy, which requires students to settle their fees in full to activate their status for course registration, was set to be implemented in 2022 but was put off following opposition from UM’s student union.
Suara Siswa UM president Abqari Annuar said the proposal was floated by the university again last year, sparking protests from student groups, which prompted UM to scrap the policy for students admitted via its university central unit (UPU) track.
However, the policy remains in place for students admitted through Satu, which effectively meant students whose fees were not subsidised by the government.
“How can there be a dual policy for two sets of UM students, both of whom are Malaysian citizens? We urge the university to abolish this policy which has no place in our education system,” Abqari said at a press conference here today.
“In the offer letter given to students, there is nothing in it which states that students have to pay the full amount upfront. The only difference between UPU and Satu students is the issue of subsidy.”
The Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) said the higher education ministry should order UM to abolish the “zero balance” policy as a whole.
Umany president Lim Jing Jet said this would reflect the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that excellent students were not sidelined because of their financial constraints.
“The policy which requires Satu students to clear their five-figure fees within a three-day period not only fails to help underprivileged students but also contravenes Article 12 of the Federal Constitution, which outlines rights in respect of education,” Lim said.
He also said the university cannot assume all of these students are from well-to-do families, as some had to enter UM through Satu as their applications under the UPU pathway were rejected.
Last week, higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said all public universities were ordered to admit students from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds and to defer their registration fees.
He said this was aimed at ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent capable students from pursuing higher education.
Nonetheless, Umany secretary Yap Jei Shin said a survey conducted by the group and Suara Siswa found that 52 students admitted through Satu could not afford to pay the full tuition fees within the required timeframe.
This meant that they were unable to activate their status as students and enrol for their courses, she said.
Abqari said the student groups will reach out to the higher education ministry if UM does not relent. He also said they would organise a mass protest if no proactive measures are taken.
Today’s press conference was also joined by representatives from Mahasiswa Progresif, Demokrat UM, and the New Generation of University of Malaya.
Contacted by FMT, UM said it was preparing a statement on the matter.