KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kevin Yii Lee Wuen disagreed with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s policy over the offering of scholarships to foreigners irrespective of whether it affects government funding or not.
The scholarships announced by Dr Mahathir yesterday for Palestinian students living in the country will only involve funds raised or generated by the universities themselves including local private institutions of higher learning or private universities (IPTS) and will not involve any government funding or affect scholarships being offered to local Malaysians.
Yii said there have been a certain level of confusion over the matter and he hoped that clarification can clear some doubts over the matter.
“I believe that in the offering of any scholarship or grant especially in higher education institutions especially if it involves public fund, priority should always be given to local students who have worked hard and obtained the relevant requirements,” he said.
He added that this was confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching upon verification after the announcement yesterday.
“I contacted the ministry to clarify on the policy whether it will involve public funds and also places in public universities especially for local Malaysian students.
“I believe it is important that priority be given to locals not just on scholarships but also entry into public universities or institutions of higher learning,” he said.
Based on the announcement by Dr Mahathir, 12 local universities will offer the scholarship and grants amounting to RM11.47 million which will be raised by the universities themselves.
Out of the 12, only one university is a government university but the funds for the scholarship must be raised by the university itself and no government grant will be used for the purpose.
The other 11 universities are private universities. It is common practice for these private universities to offer scholarships to foreign students on a yearly basis, as it is part of their strategy to attract international students as it is helps to improve their ranking as well.
This year, such scholarships will be given priority to Palestinian students.
