BANGI – A review of the allowance rates provided to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scholars who are studying abroad is being made based on tuition fees, locations of study and utility rates, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Assuring that the report on the issue would be expedited, Mahdzir said his ministry is looking into the rising costs of living for Mara-sponsored students abroad, especially those studying in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“The study is being carried out beginning last month after we received information on this issue from our students abroad. Insyaallah, it will be ready soon. Efforts will be expedited to resolve this matter,” he told reporters after attending the ministry’s Hari Raya celebration here today.
Mahdzir was quoted as saying in earlier reports that the ministry was studying the appropriate allowance rate for Mara-sponsored students abroad following the rising costs of living, and that he would submit the findings to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Finance Ministry.
He was responding to calls made by the UK and Eire National Liaison Agency for the immediate restructuring of living allowances, involving Public Services Department scholars, as well as those sponsored by Mara, who are studying in the UK and Ireland, due to the soaring costs of living in these countries.
At the moment, 3,896 Mara-sponsored students are studying in various fields and levels in several countries, among them 1,422 in the UK, Jordan (297), Germany (291), India (234), Australia (226), Russia (85) and Spain (28). – Bernama, May 12, 2022
