Albukhary International University withdraws decision to cease operations - Idris

The Albukhary International University (AiU) in Alor Setar, Kedah has withdrawn its decision to cease operations.

Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the ministry was informed of the matter by the management of AiU through a letter on Wednesday.

"With that decision, the matter is no longer an issue," he told reporters after delivering a lecture at an intellectual discourse on 'Malay Renaissance' at the RTM auditorium, here, on Thursday.

On the factors which led to AiU's earlier decision to cease operations, he said the ministry always monitored and ensured it operated within the act governing private universities.

Asked on the performance of AiU, Idris said it was a different issue, but the ministry always monitored the institution to ensure it met the requirements of the Malaysian Qualification Agency and the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996.

Commenting on AiU students who sued the institution, he said it was an issue to be resolved between the two parties. On April 15, six students of AiU sued the university for allegedly failing to comply with the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, that AiU should issue a one-year notice before closing down. It was reported that the university, which was set up by the Albukhary Foundation, would stop operating in June. AiU is known as a university that hanged the lives of the poor because it operates as a wakaf (charitable entity). As such, it is not charging any fee on the students, who are generally from poor backgrounds all over the world.