A TOTAL of RM60 million has been set aside for the Special Financial Assistance (BKK) programme, benefiting Sarawakian university students enrolled in diploma and degree programmes at recognised institutions of higher learning across Malaysia.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the allocation is aimed at easing essential living expenses such as food and day-to-day necessities for the students.
“This assistance is part of our effort to promote educational equity and support students’ well-being,” he said.
For the Free Laptop Programme, Abang Johari said an allocation of RM30.5 million has been set aside to provide first-year diploma and degree students with essential digital tools to support online learning, academic research and coursework.
Complementing this, he said RM2 million has been allocated for the Book Voucher Programme to enable students to acquire textbooks and other critical academic materials necessary for their success.
“These two key initiatives are aimed at supporting students from low-income backgrounds to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder their ability to thrive in modern learning environments,” he said.
Abang Johari also said RM8 million has been allocated for the Graduan Pulang Sarawak (i-GPS) initiative for next year.
He said this initiative was introduced in 2019 which provides flight ticket subsidies to students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan to enable their return journeys home.
Under this initiative, each eligible student may claim the subsidy twice annually with up to RM300 per trip.
“Since its implementation until now, RM35 million has been disbursed to subsidise around 117.000 return trips,” he said.
