Gerakan has urged the government to send our “bests and brightest” to local universities while at the same time, those accepted into world top universities should continue to be offered scholarships by the government.

Gerakan deputy secretary-general Liang Teck Meng said our students at world top universities could learn more about other countries’ technology and this pool of international students when they return to Malaysia to work would be able to share their experiences and know-how with the local talents.

“The idea is to ensure our money is well-spent while at the same time bring in innovation to the country’s education system,” he said in a statement.

Liang who is also MP for Simpang Renggam, said to cut overseas scholarships would be regressive and short-sighted.

A better way, he said, is to put in a stringent and transparent selection to ensure only the bests are awarded scholarships and only to the “really best world top universities.”

“We appeal for higher investments in brains (giving the best education to our ‘brights’) rather than bricks (building more sub-standard institutions of higher education). “

“We should cut wastages, abuses and rent-seeking activities and not well-deserved investment in our human capital,” Lau added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Monday that the government would cut overseas scholarships for our students and that the government would build more local universities.