KUCHING: A total of 10,000 higher education institution (IPT) students are set to receive free laptops from the Sarawak government this year as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s digital education agenda.
Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said the move follows the success of the programme’s initial phase over the past two years, which benefited 20,009 IPT students with an allocation amounting to RM61 million.
He said that the second phase of this year’s distribution has already begun, with about 5,700 students credited with vouchers to purchase laptops, involving a cost of RM17 million.
“This programme represents the second group being implemented, where the first group’s distribution was carried out in 2025 involving more than 5,000 recipients, and today more than 5,000 additional laptops are being distributed to new recipients.
“Overall for 2025 alone, including the latest distribution, the total allocation involved is approximately RM30 million, while last year the government distributed laptops with a total allocation value of RM28.7 million,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after a courtesy visit to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today (Feb 11).
The visit also saw Abang Johari officiating at the symbolic handover of laptops to five students: Nursyaridah Aleeyah Mohd Ali and Muhammad Halqim Masrah from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Karen Bong Kai Hui from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Jayviques Paran from i-CATS University College, and Elister Edwards Erim from Politeknik Kuching Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Fazzrudin — who is also a Board Member of Yayasan Sarawak — added that apart from free laptop assistance, the Sarawak government also provides other initiatives to support Sarawakian students pursuing their studies, including free book vouchers, special financial aid, free school student transport services, and school uniform assistance.
On the Sarawak Returning Graduate Initiative (IGPS), he also assured that the programme will continue this year.
“Each year, we allocate RM8 million for the implementation of this programme and, Alhamdulillah, the allocation has been fully distributed to applicants every year.
“Based on projections, the programme is expected to involve around 22,000 journeys annually and is estimated to benefit about 10,000 to 11,000 students overall,” he added.
