THE Universiti Malaya Progressive Student (UMPS) group has demanded that the university change its “zero-balance policy” that requires students to pay their fees before a semester starts.  

UMPS president Nurul Afrina Rosli said the policy was put in place in 2019 but was stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

She said students were taken aback when Universiti Malaya (UM) revived the policy last month.  

“There are some students under scholarships who only get their funds after the semester starts.  

“But UM wants us to pay the fees before the semester starts. So, how are we going to pay when we haven’t got the funds?” she told The Malaysian Insight. 

Nurul said the students are now calling for UM to amend Article 18(1) of the Universiti Malaya (Bachelor’s Degree) Regulations 2019. 

“We want it to be amended to respond to the instructions of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and the policy should be changed to be more conducive.   

“Go back to what we were accustomed to, which is payment of fees before the final exam is taken or at the end of the semester.” 

During the tabling of Budget 2024, Anwar said students who could not afford to pay tuition fees would not be blocked from registering for subjects each semester and that the fees could be settled after registration.   

“Any payment regulation by the university must take into account the welfare of students,” he said.  

Nurul said the university’s students wanted UM to act in line with Anwar’s clear and concise recommendations. 

“The justification for this amendment is based on the rationale of placing student welfare as the core of university policy-making.   

“Simply put, the university administration now has the responsibility to abolish the implementation of the zero-balance policy forever.” 

She said if the UM administration failed to heed Anwar’s recommendations, the vice-chancellor should resign and be replaced by someone who truly understood the issues faced by students.  

“As an administrator at a leading university in the country, the vice-chancellor should give priority to the welfare of students before implementing any policies. 

“Understand Anwar’s statement, if not, the students have the right to reject the policies that oppress the welfare of students by the university administration, which is more profit oriented.” – October 14, 2023.