Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh has urged all public universities to identify and assist students with financial problems.

He also urged the universities' deputy vice-chancellor for student affairs and alumni office to report on the status of students' welfare soon.

"I understand that the students may be embarassed to approach or are unsure of where to seek for assistance.

"Some have used the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) money to help their families," he said in a statement in relation to the issue of public university students starving as they had no money for food.

Idris added that it had been always the ministry's and higher learning institutions' priority to take care of students welfare and to see to measures to ease their burden.

"Among them are creating the PTPTN loan, student cards and welfare fund, giving zakat and charity and organising food aid programme such as food stamps and free food distribution, as well as providing financial aid for tuition fees, clothing, and other academic needs.

"We also have a 'pay it forward' system whereby students will pay for two meals but will only take one while the other meal is for a needy student," he said.

Idris added that job opportunities were also available on campus at a rate of RM3 to RM10 per hour, working as tutor or cafe assistant.

Apart from that the ministry and higher institutions had also developed the entrepreneurship development programme to equip students with the skills to raise funds.

"At the very least, I am sure lecturers and classmates will help any of their students or friends who are in need," he said.

- Bernama