KUCHING: A total of RM62 million has been allocated to 413,380 students across 1,460 schools in Sarawak under the Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) programme as part of the Sejahtera Madani Initiative.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said the BAP would be distributed to all students regardless of household income, with each student receiving RM150 in a one-time payment.
“This assistance can act as a catalyst to ensure every student has equal opportunities and capacity to begin the school session and serves as encouragement to achieve excellence in all aspects of education.
“This is proof of the continuous efforts of the Madani government in addressing the needs of the people across the country,” he said during the BAP handover ceremony for Sarawak 2026 at SMK Petra Jaya here on Monday (Jan 12).
He urged beneficiaries of the 2026 BAP to increase student motivation and strive for excellence, becoming individuals who contribute meaningfully to religion, nation and country.
Under the 2026 Budget, the Madani government has approved RM794 million to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for the distribution of BAP to all students from Year One to Form Six or its equivalent for the 2026 school session.
Of this, RM730 million has already been channelled to schools for distribution to all students, beginning Jan 8.
In the same development, Mustapha revealed that the government is also providing RM370,000 under the Sejahtera Madani Initiative, distributed to 740 households for phase one.
“Benefits are received by 370 households (IR) at the primary school level and 370 IR at the secondary school level registered as poor in the eKasih system in Sarawak.”
He added that the assistance is provided in the form of RM500 vouchers for primary school students, while for secondary school students, it is still under discussion and will be provided as savings.
“The savings channel for secondary school students is being considered through the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) with the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
“This effort aims to prepare students for further studies at university or higher education levels.”
He added that such initiatives help ensure the well-being of the people, in line with the Ihsan pillar of the Malaysia Madani framework, through programmes like this.
“All ongoing initiatives clearly reflect the government’s concern in empowering the education of Malaysian children, particularly in Sarawak, in an inclusive manner.”
