15% increase in allowances for JPA scholars abroad

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the raise in allowances will cost the government RM52.03 million and benefit 43,595 JPA scholars.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced a 15% increase in cost of living allowances for students on scholarships from the public services department (JPA).

However, this does not apply for JPA scholars pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the UK, since their allowances were increased by the previous government on Nov 7 last year.

Anwar also announced a RM100 rise in monthly cost of living allowances for JPA scholars studying locally.

“This will cost the government RM52.03 million over a six-month period from July, benefitting 43,595 JPA scholars,” he said in a statement.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the increase in allowances was among the government’s efforts to mitigate the rise in cost of living, especially among B40-category students residing in cities during their studies.

“This initiative to review the allowances will enable students sponsored by the government to focus on achieving academic excellence without having to worry about their financial burden.

“This will also ensure that government scholarships offered to students remain relevant and prestigious,” he said.

In September, then prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had ordered the JPA to review the allowances for students pursuing their tertiary studies in the UK.

Citing a Mara-JPA survey in February 2022 on life in cities like London and Edinburgh, Ismail said more than 60% of Mara and JPA-sponsored students, the majority of whom are from the B40 strata of society, were struggling with daily expenses.

He said the average monthly expenses for house rent and utility bills in major cities were between RM2,733 and RM3,990.

He added that this amounted to 60-70% of the allowances received by students. - FMT