THE Higher Education Ministry has contacted several universities whose students are allegedly involved in sugar baby activities, to obtain information on the validity of data that has been published in several media.

Its director-general Prof Dr Husaini Omar said the ministry took seriously the revelations made on the “student programme” website and Facebook reports about the sharp increase in the number of university students involved in these activities.

“In this case, the university explained there are many doubts about the data submitted,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Sunway Education Group stated it was quite impossible that 45% of Sunway University students were involved as sugar babies, as their students at present only number about 7,000.

“Therefore, the report published by the media that a total of 3,105 Sunway University students were involved in sugar baby activities is not reasonable.

“On February 10, Universiti Teknologi Mara also lodged a police report to deny the news report,” he said.

Husaini said the ministry, together with university authorities, would address this issue more effectively.

He said the university authorities would conduct detailed internal reviews to ensure what was reported by the media is handled as best as possible. – Bernama, February 14, 2021.