Kuala Lumpur: Local scholarship providers have been urged to make immediate decisions regarding placing their sponsored students in countries other than the United States (US), following the impact of new tariff policies introduced by the country. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Malaysia had many high-achieving students qualified to pursue studies in the world's best universities, not exclusively in the US.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zambry emphasized that the nation could no longer be restricted by policies that could potentially jeopardize students' opportunities to study globally, including those from Malaysia. He highlighted the availability of top-tier universities in countries other than the US during a 'Luncheon Talk With Editors' session. This event was part of the ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025 Programme organized by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

He addressed the impact of new US tariff policies on Malaysian students, referencing previous directives from the Trump administration that halted visa processing for foreign students and introduced measures to screen applicants based on social media activity.

MARA chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki previously stated that MARA would cease sending sponsored students to the US, aligning with the introduction of President Donald Trump's policies.