KUCHING: The establishment of state higher education institutions (IPTNs) is still under discussion at the Ministry of Higher Education (MoE) level, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee.
IPTN refers to universities or colleges owned by the state government, such as Curtin, Swinburne, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) and i-CATS University College in Sarawak, which are still classified as private universities.
“During our meeting with the Minister of Education Datuk Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir and state education executive councillors across Malaysia, I represented my ministry on the matter.
“State-owned universities are still considered private, which affects the institutions,” he said when officiating the First International Conference on Co-curricular and Learning Experience (1st International Conference on Co-curricular and Learning Experience- ICCLE) 2024 here today.
He said one of the issues discussed was related to zakat (charitable contributions).
“Zakat money is channelled to universities for their use. This means that the zakat money is taxable.
“Therefore, this issue will be scrutinised, and KPT will examine whether state-owned universities should be elevated to the status of Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTAs) or if IPTNs should be established,” he explained.
He added that most states across Malaysia have their own universities, and there is a distinction between private and public institutions.
“This is what is being discussed at the MoE level. It has not been decided yet, and they are looking into … of course, there are legal aspects,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Annuar revealed that the IPTN status would bring various benefits, including tax advantages and grant channels from the federal government.
“If these state-owned universities fall into the IPTA or IPTN category, perhaps the federal government can channel the necessary funds,” he added.
