KUALA LUMPUR – Starting February 15, students on Public Service Department (JPA) sponsorships overseas will be allowed to work abroad and defer their return to Malaysia for up to three years.
JPA has said the move is to allow them to gain skills and overseas working experience abroad before returning to serve the country.
However, they will have to apply for approval first, and are also required to continue repaying their scholarships in monthly instalments.
“Approval will be considered only for first degree students in their final year and is not granted automatically.
“They cannot work abroad for more than three years, and they must make monthly repayments of loans taken for the duration of their deferment,” JPA said in a statement posted on X.
For repayment of JPA-sponsored loans determined based on employment sector, adjustment is only allowed once after the student returns to Malaysia, subject to certain conditions.
The time spent working abroad will also be counted as part of students’ bond period to the Malaysian government, the department added.
Those with further questions should contact JPA for clarification, while applications for the deferment can be submitted starting February 15 through the department’s website at https://myself.jpa.gov.my. – February 8, 2024