SOME 9,000 Universiti Malaya students have failed to secure a place in campus residences this year, according to Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany).

The student body slammed the university for failing to address the lodging issue, adding that many high achieving students from the B40 group have not secured accommodation.

“Umany condemns the university’s irresponsible attitude and silence. Almost 9,000 students failed to secure a place in campus residences this year.

“This is also the worst residence shortage in UM history,” it said in a statement.

Umany blamed the shortfall on UM’s taking in too many students this year, coupled with a lack of transparency in the residential application system.

“Although the Universiti of Malaya Students’ Union (UMSU) has tried many times to get the authority to manage the system, the Student Affairs Office (HEP) had rejected the proposal.

“Recently, the HEP also withdrew UMSU’s rented housing, which the union managed for three years.

“Unfortunately, there was no official announcement from the HEP until the end of the semester,” it said.

Umany urged the university to give the administrative rights to UMSU.

“UMSU requested that the HEP announce the conditions for the residential college selection process.

“Therefore, UMSU has to take over the responsibility of the HEP to disseminate information to students.

“We demand that administrative rights be given to UMSU, and for the union’s rented housing to be returned to its administration,” the student body said. – September 4, 2022.