KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Action will be taken against a hairdressing institution for a misleading advertisement placed by its agent in China.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said yesterday the onus was on the institution to provide the correct information to its agent.

He said action would be taken by the ministry under Section 75 of the Private Higher Education Act.

Dr Hou said he was acting on a complaint after a student from China had gone to see MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.

The student had complained about a misleading advertisement in China, which claimed the institution was registered under the ministry.

"This is why the ministry's enforcement division visited the institution to conduct an audit as we want all institutions to be careful when recruiting foreign students as anything misleading could affect our image overseas," he told reporters after visiting the institution.

Dr Hou explained that the institution was registered under the Human Resources Ministry and could offer National Vocational Training Council certificates.

"We want to reassure students that the institution will continue operating. The ministry is only acting on its misleading advertisement in China," he said.

An official from the institution said its agent in China would be suspended for placing a misleading advertisement.