‘Form commission to oversee scholarships’

NGOs are asking the government to set-up an independent commission to look into handling scholarships.

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 200 non-governmental organisations (NGO) have urged the government to set up a special commission to handle scholarships.

Speaking on behalf of the NGOs, National Anti-Interlok Team (NIAT) council member A Rajaretnam said the government must form an independent commission to examine the scholarship issue.

Over the years, the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships have courted controversy due to top-scoring non-Malay students being overlooked.

Despite the government trying to find a solution by awarding 500 additional 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) scholarships, the issue is still far from being resolved.

Rajaretnam said that every year thousands of scholarships are given by PSD, foreign countries, government-linked companies and corporate entities.

“As far I know, there are about 20,000 scholarships every year, but nobody knows where these scholarships have gone,” he added.

In view of this, he said it would be best to have an independent commission monitor these scholarships.
“This will ensure greater transparency, and the commission can decide which student is worthy of getting a scholarship,” he added.

He also said that by setting up the commission, the government can generate at least 20,000 professionals every year in various fields.

“If the matter is handled by one body, then the commission will be aware how many seats should be given for medicine, engineering and so forth,” he explained.

Rajaretnam also suggested that the commission, which must come under the purview of Parliament, should comprise those from Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat and NGOs.