KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 ― Minister in Prime Minister's department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has disputed news reports that the Public Service Department has stopped issuing scholarships for all students.

According to a report in The Star newspaper today, Wee said that only the disbursements for 2014 scholarship recipients have been affected.

“When news of PSD stopping scholarships was spread, it caused a panic.

“First, you have no proof. Next, I have not received any such complaints. I can only deal with those I have received,” he was quoted as saying.

Separately, Berita Harian quoted PSD director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal as saying that the move to temporarily stop dispersing scholarships was a suggestion made in the Cabinet.

He said that no decision has been made regarding the matter.

News of the issue emerged after Sin Chew Daily reported Wee's announcement that the Cabinet will review the suspension of disbursements for PSD scholars in 2016.

According to Sin Chew Daily, the PSD has suspended disbursing funds and halted its e-profiling system for all tertiary courses, including pre-university programmes, both locally and abroad amid shrinking national revenue caused by falling crude oil prices worldwide.

Wee said the Cabinet was urged to give the matter urgency as intake for some universities, like in Australia, start February 1 ― less than two weeks away.

The newspaper reported that officials from the Prime Minister’s Department and PSD are to submit their report and that the Cabinet will decide on the issue at its meeting next week.