Higher Education Ministry has no links with YBNT - Idris Jusoh

The Higher Education Ministry has rubbished allegations it was involved in a sponsorship programme, together with the Yayasan Bakti Negara Terengganu (YBNT), to enable teachers to perform the umrah.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the ministry did not forge any collaboration with YBNT, and he had no knowledge of any YBNT educational or welfare activities as reported.

"I did not sign any letter of recommendation with YBNT, allowing it to carry out welfare activities in the state," he said.

Idris, who is also Besut MP said this when met after the presentation of school uniforms to 500 students at the Besut District Council Hall, Gong Kemuntong near here Saturday.

According to the minister, any letter associating the ministry with YBNT programmes or such, was not genuine.

Through a press statement recently, YBNT claimed it obtained financial resources from bumiputera corporate bodies and politicians to implement educational and religious programmes, including sponsoring umrah packages.

Last week, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the state government had nothing to do with YBNT, having declined their request to work together. -- BERNAMA