Educational loans for post-graduate programmes

Response to parliamentary question on the disbursements of educational loans by MENDAKI

Question

Mr Muhammad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether MENDAKI offers educational loans for post-graduate programmes; (b) if no, what is the reason for not providing so; and (c) how many requests or appeals MENDAKI has received for such educational loans in the past five years.

Response

Minister Yaacob Ibrahim: From 2011 to 2014, MENDAKI offered interest-free study loans to Muslim students pursuing post-graduate programmes. During this period, MENDAKI received 78 applications for such loans. However, this initiative was discontinued from 2015 to focus MENDAKI’s resources and support for Muslim students pursuing first-time degrees and diplomas.