SIGMA proposes five measures to curb 'sugar baby' activities among IPT students in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A review of the cost of living and income-generating opportunities through entrepreneurship are among the five measures proposed by the Sinergi Gerakan Mahasiswi (SIGMA) Sabah to curb "Sugar Baby" activities among students.

SIGMA chairman Siti Zainab Omar said through the study of the cost of living and opening up entrepreneurial space inside and outside the campus, students of institutions of higher learning (IPT) could generate income and subsequently cover the living costs during their studies.

In this regard, she said the second proposal involved the relevant ministries and IPTs to sponsor the cost of registering a business licence from the Companies Commission of Malaysia and encourage students to engage in online businesses as one of their sources of income.

"Undoubtedly financial problems are one of the main factors of student involvement in this activity (Sugar Baby). No party should be blamed for this issue but all parties should take a serious view of the 'Sugar Baby' issue," she said in a statement, today.

Among the other measures, Siti Zainab suggested that the authorities take effective steps to freeze or restrict access to websites and applications that involve individuals, especially students, in such immoral activities.

She also said those involved should be identified and reported to the authorities.

Towards this end, a platform should be created involving the cooperation between the students and community to facilitate the reporting on such activity, Siti Zainab added.

She added that the fifth and final proposal was to create a psychological support system for students with parties such as non-governmental organisations and counsellors playing a role in providing advice and encouragement to them to leave the habit.

-- BERNAMA