Ministry urged to probe prostitution claims involving students

[Zhou Tai]

Published: Saturday December 4, 2010 MYT 2:50:00 PM

Ministry urged to probe prostitution claims involving students

KOTA KINABALU: A state assembly member has urged the Higher Education Ministry to investigate claims that some students of higher learning institutions (IPT) have resorted to prostitution to earn money to finance their studies. Tanjung Batu assembly member Datuk Hamisa Samat said the ministry should view the matter seriously, saying it not only tarnished the image of such institutions but also affected the students' future.

"We hope that there will be prompt action by the ministry because this issue has been raised before and now has come to light again. "The issue of IPT students resorting to prostitution should be addressed because if nothing is done, it could become worse," she said in a statement.

Upko wanita chief Dr Jaina Sintian revealed at the party's convention on Thursday that there were IPT students who resorted to prostitution to pay the cost of their studies. She said that most of those involved in the activity were students from broken families. Hamisa, who is Kalabakan Wanita Umno chief said, if left unchecked, the problem could lead to other social issues such as baby dumping, HIV and Aids and drug abuse.

"I call on all quarters to be open minded about this and not hastily make denials because we all know the challenges these students have to deal with, like costly food, accommodation, transportation, books, computers, Internet bills and so on," she said. - Bernama

 

[Zhou Tai]

Probe on student prostitutes in Sabah


Probe on student prostitutes in Sabah

Published Dec 4 2010

State leaders in Sabah are calling for a probe into claims that some female university and college students are involved in prostitution to pay for their studies.

United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation Wanita chief Dr Jaina Sintian had claimed that that a prostitution network involving college and university students existed in the state.

Dr Jaina was quoted in a local newspaper as saying that she had been told by reliable sources that clients of these female students were being charged between RM100 and RM500 per session.

Arrested prostitutes...are some of them univesrity students?​

She said many of the students involved in the flesh trade were from suburban and rural areas and likely to have come from broken families. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said anyone with information such activities should report them to the
police and other authorities.

Tanjung Batu representative Datuk Hamisa Samat said the Higher Education Ministry should probe into the matter as if proven true, it would adversely affect the future of these students concerned as well as their educational institutions. She said colleges, universities and authorities should look at the problem with an open mind and not simply deny its existence.

"We know college and university students are faced with so many challenges and rising expenditures is just one of them." "They not only have to think of accommodation, food and transport but also other incidental expenses such as book, phone and Internet access bills," Hamisa added.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon said he had yet to receive any reports about students' involvement in prostitution. He said the university would, however, take the allegations seriously, and officers would be asked to monitor them. Dr Kamaruzaman said the university would conduct a probe but conceded that it would be difficult to obtain evidence.

He said if there was evidence of any student's involvement, the university would take disciplinary action. He said the university would handle the problem discreetly and if they did it because of financial problems, the university would be willing to offer them loans to enable them to finish their studies.