Ministry to investigate claims of bribery among varsity students, lecturers

The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) will investigate the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) allegation that some varsity students and lecturers are involved in bribery.

"When varsity students are said to be involved, we have to check whether they are still studying or have graduated from university," Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said when met at the Parliament lobby here on Tuesday.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamsun Baharin Mohd Jamil had earlier revealed that some varsity students were willing to bribe their lecturers to get high marks or to pass them in their examinations.

However, he said only a small number of students were involved.

Meanwhile when asked to comment on claims that Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) had stopped funding Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes, Idris said he would seek clarification on the matter from the agency.

The matter was raised by reporters following information received from the agency's officer that MARA would no longer provide funding for PhD programme abroad and would only finance students pursuing their diplomas locally.

"Apart from MARA and MyBrain, we also have academic training scheme, research grant scheme with many other organisations are offering PhD scholarships," he said. -- Bernama