KOTA KINABALU: The Higher Education Ministry has pledged to take swift action to resolve the ongoing water supply disruptions at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which have persisted for the past week.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said discussions had been held with the Sabah Water Department to review the current water rationing schedule and prioritise UMS in the distribution of water supply.
“There was a sharp increase in water usage, particularly during Hari Raya and other major events, which directly impacted water availability at UMS.
“I have requested that the rationing plan be reassessed and that UMS be given priority, especially as students are beginning to return for the new academic session,” he said at the Higher Education Aidilfitri gathering in Sepanggar on April 12.
In a separate development, Mustapha welcomed the Prime Minister’s call to review the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayment mechanism.
He said PTPTN has always adopted a practical and flexible approach when dealing with borrowers, avoiding punitive measures.
“We encourage borrowers to visit the nearest PTPTN office to renegotiate their repayment structure.
“We are not here to punish, but to offer borrowers the widest space possible for discussion,” he added.
He noted that only around 13% of borrowers have defaulted entirely, while the majority are still making payments, albeit not always according to the original schedule.
Meanwhile, the Ministry will be organising two editions of the ‘Jom Masuk Universiti’ (Let’s Go to University) programme in Sabah to bring higher education opportunities closer to the community, especially in rural areas.
The programme will be held at the Sandakan Sports Complex from April 19–20, followed by another session at UMS Kota Kinabalu from May 10–11.
“This is part of our continuous effort to increase public access to higher education,” said Mustapha.
He urged the public, especially students who have recently completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, diploma or equivalent, to attend the programme.
“This is a great opportunity for students, parents, and the general public to engage directly with representatives from higher learning institutions, helping them plan their educational journey with greater clarity and confidence,” Mustapha said.
He also called on community leaders, teachers, and related agencies to support the programme’s implementation.
“This is crucial to ensure more young people from Sabah gain access to inclusive and high-quality higher education,” he said.
During the event, he also launched the 2024 Madani Mind Repository Book, which features his insights and experiences regarding the future of higher education in Malaysia, as well as the Sepanggar Parliamentary Development Plan.
