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The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

32 of Malaysia’s brightest have been awarded the prestigious Chevening scholarship to pursue their postgraduate studies in the UK for the 2024/25 academic year.

In addition to the existing number of Chevening scholarship awards, the United Kingdom (UK) government has also now launched a Chevening ASEAN Scholarship Programme. Every ASEAN member country and Timor-Leste will receive one additional Chevening scholarship award for the 2025/26 academic year.

David Wallace, Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia, hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars this evening. He said:

The Chevening Scholarship programme is a testament to the UK government’s commitment to nurturing Malaysia’s leaders of tomorrow. It provides an opportunity to experience a world-class education in the UK as well as gaining invaluable exposure and experiences along the way.

ASEAN is an important partner to the UK. In 2022, the UK became a Dialogue Partner to ASEAN, the first new dialogue partner in 25 years. The Chevening ASEAN Scholarship Programme will enable more scholars from South East Asia (including Malaysia) to study in the UK. It also augurs well with Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

The Chevening award is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme that is funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is complemented by generous sponsorships from Malaysian corporate partners namely CIMB Foundation, Yayasan Khazanah, PETRONAS and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.

Chevening partners in Malaysia

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO, Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group said:

It has been a pleasure and privilege for the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation to have been the sponsor of a Chevening Scholarship since 2018. Each year I am thrilled by the quality of the applicants, and especially that of the candidates for our Scholarship; and we are delighted to be able to provide the opportunity over the years to well-deserving Malaysians to enhance their professional and leadership skills at a UK university and partake of the many interesting activities that are provided by the Chevening Secretariat in London.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Foundation said:

CIMB Foundation is pleased to continue our collaboration with the UK for the Chevening Scholarship programme, a platform which provides life-changing opportunities for exceptional individuals to transform their lives through the power of education and networking. Aligned with our core impact area of Education, we firmly believe that the Chevening Scholarship plays an instrumental role in shaping the next generation of Malaysian leaders. The scholarship provides the recipients an edge through wide exposure and knowledge transfer, enhancing their value to the nation in returning to create positive and lasting change in their respective areas of specialisation.

Intan Zalila, Chief Programme Officer of Yayasan Khazanah said:

Our partnership with Chevening allows us to connect with a diverse pool of talented individuals who are poised to make significant contributions to society. We look forward to the continued success of our partnership with Chevening, as we work together to empower future leaders and make a lasting impact!

Ruslan Islahudin, Vice President & Group Chief Human Resource Officer of PETRONAS said:

Our alliance with the Chevening Scholarship reflects our commitment to empowering future leaders who are not only equipped with a world-class education but are also dedicated to driving sustainable solutions to global challenges in navigating a just energy transition. We are optimistic that these scholars will significantly contribute to the aspiration of shaping a more sustainable future by bringing innovative ideas and responsible business practices to the forefront here in Malaysia.

The Malaysian scholars

The current batch of scholars will be heading to the UK as early as September this year to pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as Early Years Education, Creative Writing Poetry, Global Health Policy, Cyber Defence and Information Assurance as well as Competition Law.

Scholar Muhammad Farhan Shahmi bin Abdullah who will be attending University of Cambridge to study Sociology (The Sociology of Media and Culture) said:

Misinformation and hate speech are ever-evolving threats in Malaysia, and preparing our youth to tackle them is crucial. I am driven to study Sociology at Cambridge to enrich myself with knowledge and skills in building effective, yet inclusive solutions to this conundrum. Certainly, interventions in sociology consider broader factors like culture and social dynamics, thus viewing social issues like misinformation and hate speech through a holistic lens. With the knowledge gained and network fostered from the Chevening experience, I aim to ultimately advocate for media literacy’s inclusion in the national school curriculum, making it a fundamental skill for all Malaysians.

Lydia Hong Wen Xin who will be attending Imperial College London to study Climate Change, Management and Finance said:

The field of climate change and finance is rapidly evolving, driven by urgent global demands to address climate risks and transition to sustainable energy systems. In Malaysia, recent initiatives like the target to achieve a 70% renewable energy mix by 2050 exemplify this momentum. Studying in the UK, with its environmental stewardship and cutting-edge research, offers an ideal platform to gain the expertise needed to contribute effectively to this global challenge. The holistic approach provided by my program enables me to communicate effectively across both business and scientific contexts.

Rajwin Kanagarajah who will be attending the University of Cambridge to study Population Health Sciences said:

One of the most pressing challenges in population health in Malaysia today is the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease driven by lifestyle changes and an ageing population. This not only strains healthcare resources but also widens health disparities. Through this Chevening scholarship, I aim to gain expertise in public health policy, health economics and digital health solutions. Upon my return, I hope to contribute to Malaysia’s healthcare transformation by driving innovative, data-driven approaches in reducing disease burden, improving access to care and closing healthcare gaps on a national scale.

Syamim S. who will be attending the University of Kent to study Autism Studies said:

As an autistic person, equal opportunities are core to my Chevening journey. They allow persons with disabilities like myself equitable access to education. Personally, experiencing how such legislations may protect disabled persons is its own learning curve—one that I look forward to exploring further in the UK and adapting back home. I hope to build capacity within myself and my community through this academic and existential journey, moving Malaysia towards a better state of autistic and disability rights, benefiting everyone.

Malaysia is the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and there are already over 2,000 members of the Chevening alumni in Malaysia.

The UK government has recently reiterated that the UK welcomes international students. Malaysians who wish to get a scholarship to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK can apply now until applications close on 5 November 2024. More information is available on www.chevening.org/malaysia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Since calling this meeting, and accusing the West of escalation, Russia has bombarded Ukrainian cities across fifteen regions, more than half the country, using hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, hypersonic ballistic missiles, glide bombs, and more.

Some of these were procured from Iran and DPRK, in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

Moscow’s intent is to terrorise the civilian population in Ukraine into submission. The latest attacks have caused widespread blackouts, cutting off access for ordinary people to power, heating and water. Imagine that happening to your country.

Direct attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute a war crime. Ukraine has a right to defend itself, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, against Russia’s attacks.

This does not preclude its right to project force into Russian territory, so long as action complies with international law.

Russia cannot step up the war from its own soil, while increasing attacks on the civilian population, and expect Ukraine not to seek to remove the source of the threat.

We will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend its people.

Neither the UK nor our partners seek direct confrontation with Russia, nor a wider escalation of tensions.

Let me be clear. There is only one aggressor here.

It was Russia that willingly and deliberately tore into the security of Europe by illegally invading a sovereign country.

It was Russia that unilaterally sought to annex a neighbour’s land, against every principle the international system, and all of us, rely upon.

It was Russia that chose to use hypersonic missiles and other advanced weaponry against civilians and their infrastructure.

And it was Russia that chose, at the start of this war, that chose to illegally seize the largest nuclear power plant in Western Europe at Zaporizhizhia even recklessly installing military equipment in the turbine hall and on reactor roofs.

Russian disinformation and threats and false accusations will not deter the UK or our allies from our steadfast support for Ukraine, including providing it with the capabilities it needs to defend its people.

We remain committed to securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and for Europe, in line with the UN Charter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

Statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military operation in the Occupied West Bank.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

It is in no one’s interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

A British Embassy official attended the launch of the plan to create a water law in Guatemala, which will start this year until 2025. This national commitment was announced on 29 August by the Executive and endorsed by Congress, civil society, and indigenous peoples.

A British Embassy spokesperson said:

We congratulate the Guatemalan Government for presenting the initiative to create a water law in Guatemala.

Guatemala now joins the path travelled by many countries to preserve their natural resources while addressing the impacts of climate change.

The UK continues to work with Guatemala on this and other environmental priorities, such as the protection of biodiversity and forests, and addressing global climate challenges.