BANGI: The review of the allowance rate provided to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scholars who are studying abroad is being made based on the tuition fees, study location and utility payment rate, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

       Assuring that the study report would be expedited, Mahdzir said his Ministry is looking into the rising cost of living of Mara-sponsored students abroad, especially those studying in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

       "The study is being carried out beginning last month after we received information on this issue from our students abroad. Insyaallah, it will be ready soon. Efforts will be expedited to resolve this matter," he told reporters after attending the Ministry's Hari Raya Celebration here on Thursday (May 12).

       Mahdzir was quoted as saying in earlier reports that the Ministry was studying the appropriate allowance rate for MARA sponsored students abroad following the rising costs of living there and that he would submit the findings to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Ministry of Finance.

       He was responding to the call made by the United Kingdom and Eire National Liaison Agency for the immediate implementation of living allowances restructuring involving the Public Services Department and Mara scholars who are studying in the UK and Ireland due to the soaring cost of living there.

       To date, 3,896 MARA-sponsored students are studying in various fields and levels in several countries among others, 1,422 in the UK, Jordan (297), Germany (291), India (234), Australia (226), Russia (85) and Spain (28). - Bernama