PKR's Rafizi Ramli says Putrajaya should use the RM1.1 billion it gave to 1MDB to fund JPA scholarships. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 21, 2016.Putrajaya should use the RM1.1 billion grant it awarded to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to fund the Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships, said PKR's Rafizi Ramli.
Commenting on reports that the government will suspend JPA scholarships due to falling revenue, Rafizi said 1MDB should not be using dwindling public funds to finance its projects.
"I urge Datuk Seri Najib Razak to instruct 1MDB to return the federal grant worth RM1.1 billion it took for the relocation and upgrading of the army base in Bandar Malaysia.
"That project is 1MDB's responsibility and should not involve public funds. RM1.1 billion is more than enough to fund the scholarships," Rafizi said in a statement.
News of the suspension was first reported by Chinese-language paper Sin Chew Daily yesterday, quoting Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Wee Ka Siong, who said the government would suspend JPA scholarships this year in view of falling revenues due to low oil prices.
Rafizi said the government had been slashing funds for scholarships since 2015, including those from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).
"The approach Najib is taking in the Budget 2016 revision is clear: he is cutting expenses for the public first before slashing expenses that involve cronies," said Rafizi.
"For instance, I am interested to know whether the government will continue to provide soft loans to companies that are awarded highway concessions." – January 21, 2016.
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