Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Wee Ka Siong said he did not announce the suspension of Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships.

Wee said his involvement in the issue is merely responding to concerns from parents about the scholarships which was already widely reported in the press.

"First, I have not announced the suspension of the JPA scholarships - that I have to make it clear.

"Secondly, when parents face some difficulties, they always come to us.

"We will bring up their concerns for further clarification (at the cabinet)," he told Malaysiakini when contacted early this morning.

Wee was referring to press reports highlighting complaints from parents that their children were not able to apply for JPA scholarships this year.

As such, Wee said he should not be blamed about the status of the scholarships.

On Wednesday , he was quoted by Sin Chew Daily as saying that he had raised the issue with the cabinet and urged for the scholarships to be reinstated.

This was taken to mean that complaints from parents and students that the JPA scholarships have been suspended were indeed true.

However, Wee said the matter had been brought to the cabinet which is now awaiting a report on the issue.