SIBU: The state government’s Special Financial Assistance (BKK) scheme of RM1,200 for the tertiary education of Sarawakians is a commendable initiative.
However, former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang Oi Ling, said she has received many complaints and enquires of the need for the applicants to submit their parents’ pay-slips in their application through the Yayasan Sarawak portal.
“This requirement is contrary to the intention of the scheme which is supposed to assist all students regardless of their economic and social background.
“It also poses an unnecessary barrier that risks excluding the very students the scheme intends to support,” she stated in a press statement today (May 24).
Chang, a lawyer by profession, viewed that the current condition requiring parents’ pay-slips is especially problematic for students from rural areas, those with parents working in the informal sector, and individuals from estranged or single-parent households.
According to her, many of these families have no formal income documentation, which effectively disqualifies the most vulnerable students who are in urgent need of some financial support.
She suggested that the government and Yayasan Sarawak review and revise the application conditions to reflect a more inclusive and realistic approach.
Since the aid is supposed to be available to all tertiary students without taking into consideration their economic and social background, she proposed that the only two requirements that should be necessary are proof that the applicant is a Sarawakian, as shown by the ‘K’ indicator on their MyKad; and proof of enrolment in a recognised tertiary institution, such as a student identity card or official offer letter.
She pointed out that their application should not be hindered by red tape.
“Presently, there are only 25,208 students (out of estimated eligible 60,000 students (see Sarawak Tribune dated May 21) who have applied for the BKK scheme.
“This means that the initiative has reached less than half of the total number of students who are expected to benefit from the scheme.
“This application process should therefore be simplified to truly serve its purpose in helping our youth to strive for a better future through education.
“Given the lower than expected numbers of students who have applied, the government should extend the application timeline beyond June 1 to ensure that no student would be left behind due to limited access to information and documentation.
