‘Review policy on scholarships for overseas students’
PETALING JAYA: The first cabinet meeting under the new Pakatan Harapan government today will hopefully focus on a new policy for scholarship or loans for students who will study abroad.
PH secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said agencies handling student scholarships and loans were still operating based on the financial state of the previous government.
He said he hoped the new government would focus on sponsorship for A-Level students.
“Firstly, we want to look into whether there is a need for scholarships. Secondly, we need to look at the number of students who want to study abroad every year.
“These are policies that need to be carried out immediately.
“Thirdly, we want to look into the area of study that students would be taking that they must study it outside of the country.
“Fourthly, there is a need to review the number of scholarships given. Fifth, if it’s a local scholarship, we need to review the cost of living allowance,” he said at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s headquarters yesterday.
Earlier yesterday, Saifuddin made an unofficial visit to the three main agencies providing scholarships and student loans — the Public Service Department (PSD), the Education Ministry and Majlis Amanah Rakyat.
Saifuddin said he also met some 150 A-Level students who had PSD scholarships.
“I hope this issue will be a focus in the cabinet meeting tomorrow (today). I’ve spoken to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik and he knows that we had a meeting (with the agencies) today.
“Since there is no minister in charge of PSD at the moment, I think that Dr Maszlee is the right person to talk about it in the cabinet meeting.”