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Let's get this straight. The recent economic downturn did not occur overnight, the government has many analysts and economists working for them; surely they could have predicted that the country's revenues will fall earlier? Surely they could have planned to put a stop to overseas sponsorship earlier? But no, like what every 'responsible' government does, they sweep it under the rug.

Then, out the blue, JPA halts the scholarship. Mind you, not by an official announcement. No no, our government is far too busy for that. Let's just hope that our students will find out that the link to update their information is missing and they'll hopefully just shut up and continue on with their lives. Then when students enquire what is wrong let's all keep mum and hopefully some brave soul will come up with some non-committal answer to appease the students for awhile.

Then, earlier today, the Prime Minister announced in the revision of the 2016 budget that JPA will only sponsor students locally as opposed to both overseas and locally. I call out this act of blatant inefficient governance!

Hundreds of us took A-Levels for 18 to 24 months in the hope that the we'll be able to further our studies overseas. We took admission tests, e.g. IELTS, SAT, LNAT etc, ironically enough, paid for by a certain extent by the government (like our taxpayers). And now it'll all go to waste. We paid application fees for universities overseas, studied for our admission test and did it all while studying for our A-Levels exam.

And honestly, I'm sick of hearing that we should be understanding and grateful that the government is still sponsoring us locally. Well, you know when I should be understanding and grateful? 18 months ago, before I took my A-Levels; if the government had made their decision then. Heck, why would I need A-Levels when a year in matriculation could land you in the top universities in Malaysia? I could have chosen a different route and perhaps even be doing my undergraduate degree right now. But no, because of your incompetency and irresponsibility, we students are a year or more behind our peers and have to start anew again. We've wasted countless hours of sweat and tears just to see it go down the drain.

Yes, thanks Malaysia, thanks a bunch.

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Written by Yen Low.