Still no word from PSD about bursary programme

PETALING JAYA: It remains unclear whether the SPM top scorers who obtained 9A+ could apply for the Public Service Department (PSD) bursary programme.

Attempts to get further explanation on the guidelines for the Bursary Graduate Programme from PSD and the Higher Education Ministry were unsuccessful.

A check on the PSD website link to apply for the programme (https://bursaryspm.moe.gov.my/) showed that access to the web application has been temporarily halted.

The Ministry posted a message saying it “regrets the inconvenience caused” on the website.

The last announcement was made in Parliament by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who said the Government had approved RM160mil to support the students under the Bursary Graduate Programme following the Budget revision on Jan 28.

“It is to ensure the continuity of students’ education,” she said in a written reply to PKR’s Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian.

The PSD website had recently uploaded new guidelines on the “sponsorship model”, requiring bursary recipients to become civil servants upon graduation if they wanted the sponsorships to be converted into scholarships.

Those working for government-linked companies would need to pay back 50% of the sum while those opting for the private sector would have to repay the entire amount.

Previously, those who obtained first-class degree honours in their studies would have the sponsorships converted into scholarships.