PUTRAJAYA: The MyBrain15 programme has not been axed, but has been frozen.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the ministry could not carry on the programme until they receive the budget allocation for it.

"What had happened was the previous government had allocated RM90mil for the programme, but the money never reached the Education Ministry," he told reporters after launching the 2017 Annual Report of The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.

"This is a political gesture from the previous government."

Dr Maszlee said the actual amount needed for more than the 10,000 scholars is RM612mil.

He added that the decision to provide RM612mil for the programme lies with the Finance Ministry and the Economic Planning Unit, adding that he is committed to helping the recipients receive their scholarships and will try his best to help them.

Dr Maszlee came under flak after an interview with RTM when he said that MyBrain15 has been suspended due the country's overwhelming debt.

Under Budget 2018, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that a sum of RM90mil has been set aside for the MyBrain15 Programme for 10,600 individuals to further their studies in Masters and PhD programmes.