Ismail Sabri keeps mum on terminating Mara sponsorship at Taylor’s

KUALA LUMPUR: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has skirted the issue of terminating Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara)’s scholarships to students in Taylor's University.

He avoided answering a question posed to him at the Dewan Rakyat by Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping). Instead, Ismail provided the number of scholarships for students currently enrolled in the private university.

"As of Sept 2015, 521 Mara scholars were undergoing studies in Taylor's University in various fields including foundation programmes, degrees, master's programmes etc. 

“The number of scholarships is very large for a higher education institution (IPT). The sponsorship of students by Mara in IPTs, including Taylor's University, is based on current needs," he said in a written reply to the question on Tuesday.

Nga had asked Ismail to explain Mara’s decision to stop its sponsorship for students at Taylor's.