ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF UNDERGRADS INVOLVED IN VICE, SAYS KHALED

Only a small number of undergrads involved in vice, says Khaled

TELUK INTAN: The Government admits that some students in higher learning institutes may be involved in vice activities but their number is small.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Noordin said it was unfair for the public to make a general assumption that many university and college students were engaged in such activities.

“The actions of a small group of students may not be due to financial burden, but other reasons such as looking for fun or to fulfil their lavish lifestyle,” he told reporters after opening the Teluk Intan Community College here yesterday.

“The Government has provided all the facilities for them. The study loans given to them are more than enough.

“If you look at the students, most of them have handphones or own a motorcycle,” he said, commenting on a recent claim by United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation Wanita chief Dr Jaina Sintian that there were college and university students in Sabah charging “clients” between RM100 and RM500 for sex per session.

“If there are students caught for involvement in such activity, I hope the authorities will inform us which university these students are from, and whether they are local or foreign students,” he said.

With regards to students taking part in illegal gatherings, Khaled said they were not exempted from action by the authorities.

“They do not have special privileges. They will be subject to legal action just like any other person,” he said, in response to claims that some university students were involved in an illegal protest in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.