LOCAL universities have been providing food to students barred from leaving their campus due to the movement control order.

Earlier today, Putrajaya said it will allocate RM12.2 million to provide food for 74,530 university students who are stranded in their hostels during the order.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said the allocation includes public and private universities, matriculation colleges, community colleges and teacher training institutes nationwide.  

However, he says it is up to institutions on what and how they choose to provide the students with.

Last week, The Malaysian Insight reported that some local universities were leaving students to fend for themselves even after the Higher Education Ministry said public universities (UA) and private higher learning institutions (IPTS) are responsible for their students’ welfare during the two-week MCO period.

Mohd Firash Ismail, a local university student, told The Malaysian Insight that his university has started providing lunch and dinner to students as of Friday last week.

“For the time being, my university gives us food in the form of mixed rice with different dish options every day

“Everything is okay for now. I’m happy for as long as the students are being taken care of properly,” said the sports science student.

Nur Syahirah Idayu, a Sabahan at a university in Perak, said her institution has provided their students with meals and extra supplies of dry food. 

“My university provide dry food such as maggi mee, Nescafe, biscuits for students while the student administration provides us with mixed rice and a variety of dishes courtesy of the Sabah state government.

“They also continuously make sure that the cafes and shops on campus are open to assist students in stocking up supplies as the university bus service is halted throughout the MCO period.”

Afiqah Azhar, who told The Malaysian Insight last week that her university was not providing students with food and drinks, today said his institution has been consistent with providing food and drinks since last Friday.

“The students are given three meals per day. This morning, for example, we received bread and packet drinks.

“For lunch, we were given mineral water and mixed rice.

“Not only that, the university also provides us snacks such as biscuits, instant noodles and other things.”

She said students were instructed to head to the canteen to pick up their food and go straight back to their dorms.

Universities have also made sure students practiced social distancing on campus, such as standing one meter apart in canteens as advised by the health ministry to prevent any Covid-19 infection.

Syahirah said her university has also banned all activities on campus, including jogging, and students have been ordered to stay in their lodgings.

As of today, Malaysia recorded 1,518 Covid-19 cases, with 14 deaths. – March 23, 2020.