KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian scholarship students stranded abroad will be given aid by their sponsors to pay for rent and food.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government, through education sponsors such as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Public Service Department (JPA), Higher Education Ministry and Petronas, would provide financial assistance to students who have completed their studies but were not yet able to return to Malaysia.
“These sponsors will bear the cost of rent, food, and other necessities for students overseas who cannot return home because of the travel restrictions.
“While they are allowed to return to Malaysia, we advise them to stay put where they are and obey the restrictions, if any.
“If they do return, they will be brought to the designated quarantine centres for mandatory 14-day quarantine,” he said at a press conference today.
Ismail also said the government welcomed any effort by private bodies or agents to bring back stranded students, but they must first inform the National Security Council and the Immigration Department, and follow standard operating procedures.