The government has agreed to reduce hostel fees and public university service fees by up to 15 per cent to help ease the burden of the institution due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Dr Mansor Othman said the decision was made as a result of negotiations between the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

According to him, the decision will involve a government allocation estimated at RM72 million and will benefit 533,318 students of public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) nationwide.

“KPT remains concerned about feedback from students, parents, and stakeholders so that public university fees can be reduced to help ease the burden of students and parents due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

“KPT has held talks with the MO, to find the best solution.

"As a result of the negotiations, the government agreed to reduce hostel fees, service fees and the cost of public university activities by up to 15 per cent after taking into account the government's financial capabilities," he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Dr Mansor said this in reply to Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (BN-Beaufort) who wanted to know the status of IPT semester tuition fees for IPTA and private IPT (IPTS) students.

Apart from that, she also wanted to know the ministry's initiative on the online learning system of IPT students who live in rural areas and need internet access.

On the first question, Dr Mansor said, the structure of higher education fees remains the same even in the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

However, he said, the government has allocated large funds through the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) for the education sector.

It includes a one-off assistance of RM200 to students, the cost of providing food to students on campus as well as the postponement of PTPTN payments to 1.5 million borrowers.