KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s decision to increase the living allowance for the Public Service Department (PSD) scholars is lauded for helping alleviate the students’ living expenses, with the hope that more educational financing agencies will follow suit.
Malaysian Press Institute chief executive officer Datuk Chamil Wariya said among the agencies that could emulate the move were Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
“In terms of the RM100 amount increase, it may not be sufficient, but I believe the assistance will somehow help reduce the financial burden of the students,” he told Bernama today.
Chamil said the students should also be wise enough to manage their finances.
A PSD scholar Muhammad Azib Zikry Abdul Halim from Universiti Teknologi Mara, said he was happy with the increase in the living allowance, but felt that the amount was quite insignificant considering the current economic situation, especially for students in urban areas.
Another PSD scholar from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Siti Sarah Izhan Khalib, said the additional RM100 per month would help in terms of daily meals and monthly essential expenses.
Meanwhile, S.Thiruthanigesh, a scholar from UKM said as a medical student in the university’s campus located in the Klang Valley, the cost of living is relatively high compared to those studying in institutions of higher education in other areas.
“So, I think the increase in the living is very good for UKM medical students,” he said.
The increase in the living allowance rate involves a financial implication of an estimated RM52.03 million for the next six months beginning July and will benefit 43,595 PSD scholars, locally and abroad. – Bernama, June 14, 2023
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