Hi there,
the 1.65m requirement is a 'must' for almost all of the worldwide cadet pilot programme. there are alot of human factors issues in relations to the egronomics of the cockpit as well as the anthropy of a human being fiting in a cockpit.
I would advise you if possible to join YFC if your in a local uni. This will allow you to obtain your PPL as a CCA or ECA. Doing a private PPL is about 20k in total. Thus it is not really that worth as it is still a restricted PPL. I would suggest goin to do your self-sponsored PPL in Malaysia. This will cost about 12-14k SGD max with a unrestrict DGCA PPL. PPL cost varies due to the amount of flight time one might take to obtain proficiency.
Justs my thoughts.....
Great way to fly