PUTRAJAYA has agreed to foot the food bill for students stuck in public universities and colleges, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“We decided this today after parents complained that their children, who are at the colleges, cannot afford to pay for their food.

“The government will pay for it,” the defence minister told reporters in Putrajaya today.

Ismail said there were 60,000 students currently enrolled in public universities and colleges.

“As for the cost, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will determine it.”

The Malaysian Insight had today highlighted the plight of students now on campus during the two-week Covid-19 movement-control order (MCO).

On Wednesday, the first day of the MCO, the Higher Education Ministry said students of public and private institutions must remain on campus.

It was the third policy change since Tuesday, when the first set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the restriction order was issued by the National Security Council (NSC).

The first FAQ said students were required to return home, while another list issued the same day said they could choose whether to stay on campus or leave.

Afiqah Azhar*, a Sabahan studying at a Selangor university, said she was unsure whether she would get a refund for a flight ticket bought before the policy flip-flop.

“I’m worried about food and money. My flight ticket is already ‘burnt’. I don’t know if I can get a refund, so now, I’m faced with financial issues,” she had told The Malaysian Insight.

Ismail said the government will also extend school holidays to March 31.

“But stay where you are and don’t travel anywhere. We don’t want people to move around.

“For those who have already gone back to their hometowns, stay there. And, for those who haven’t, stay in the city,” said Ismail. – March 20, 2020.

*Name has been been changed to protect the student.