Malaysian Higher Education Ministry warns errant private institutes of higher learning

 

PUTRAJAYA: The higher education ministry has vowed firm action against private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) whose advertisements are peppered with elements of fraud and mislead the public.

Deputy minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said while some IPTS often highlighted recognition and financial aid, others even claimed to offer laptops, total hostel facilities and 100 percent loans.

However, he said, they reneged, soon after the students signed up at the IPTS.

Hou said, under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), the Registrar-General had the power to issue a notice to any errant IPTS.

"Failure to comply means the IPTS could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to six months, or both," he told reporters here on Wednesday.

Hou disclosed that last year, 61 advertisement directive notices were issued to IPTS in connection with various offences involving their (IPTS) names, study courses, IPTS information and their misleading statements.