
15,000 Sarawak students receive special financial aid for higher education
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof confirmed the approvals in a Facebook post today, stating that payments will be distributed in stages to remaining beneficiaries.
The aid programme, launched by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Kuala Lumpur, is set to benefit 42,000 students with an allocation of RM50.5 million.
Fadillah highlighted that the initiative provides RM1,200 in pocket money to all Sarawakian students in IPTs, regardless of family income.
'This reflects the Sarawak Government's commitment to ensuring no student is left behind due to financial constraints,' he said.
The aid aims to ease parents' financial burdens while helping students manage daily expenses.
In addition to the pocket money assistance, the state government is rolling out other support measures, including free laptops and book vouchers for students from low-income families.
The Sarawak Graduates Return Initiative (IGPS), offering a RM300 flight ticket subsidy twice a year, is also available.
Fadillah expressed gratitude to the Sarawak Premier for approving the aid, emphasising its role in inclusive development.
'These initiatives stem from Sarawak's sustainable economic policy, translating state revenue into direct welfare benefits,' he said. - Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Explainer: How US tariffs on Malaysia may hit you
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States (US) has slapped a 19 per cent tariff on most Malaysian exports, a move that could drive up costs for consumers in both countries. While tariffs may sound like a far-off trade policy matter, the impact could land much closer to home than expected, especially when products made in Malaysia are re-exported after being processed or repackaged abroad. From Klang to Kansas... and back Consider a simple product: a rubber glove made in Klang. At the factory, it costs RM1 to produce. But once it enters the US, it's immediately taxed at 19 per cent, pushing the landed price to RM1.19. By the time it passes through US importers, distributors and retailers, the glove could be priced at RM2.49 on the shelf. If that same glove is re-exported say, under a global brand or as part of a medical kit sold back to Southeast Asia, shipping and handling add more cost. By the time it reaches Malaysian hands again, it could cost RM2.89, nearly triple its original value. It's complicated, says an economist Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Malaysia's position in global supply chains means products often cross borders multiple times before reaching the final consumer. "Theoretically, these products could come in and out several times from various countries as global supply chains are very complex," he said, adding that even he has limited visibility on which specific components will be affected. While semiconductors may have special exemptions, Afzanizam said other major exports such as gloves, solar panels, furniture, palm oil and machinery components are almost certainly affected. What's affected? Products likely impacted by the 19 per cent US tariff include: • Gloves – Used globally in healthcare, made by firms like Top Glove Corp Bhd • Furniture – A top export to US retailers • Solar panels – Often installed in the US, sometimes re-exported to other countries • Machinery components – Common in global supply chains • Palm oil products – Found in food, cosmetics and industrial applications Who pays the price? • Malaysian exporters – They face shrinking profit margins and risk losing customers to competitors with lower rates. • US Consumers – They may see price hikes on everyday goods made in Malaysia, or quietly pay more as brands pass costs down the chain. • Malaysian Consumers – Some Malaysian-made products, especially those tied to global brands, could boomerang back at higher prices after re-export. Bottom Line


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Minimum wage extended to contract apprentices as amended law takes effect, says HR Ministry
PUTRAJAYA: The National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Act 2025 came into effect Friday (Aug 1), extending the current minimum wage to apprenticeship contract workers. In a statement, the Human Resources Ministry said Minister Steven Sim had set Aug 1, 2025, as the commencement date for the amendments. "Under the amendment, the current minimum wage now applies to apprenticeship contract workers, in line with the government's commitment to enhancing protection and welfare for all categories of workers,' the statement read. An apprenticeship contract refers to an agreement in which an employer undertakes to employ and systematically train a person in a specific trade, ranging from six to 24 months, during which the apprentice is bound to work for the employer. The ministry also expressed appreciation to employers who had already been paying the minimum wage to apprenticeship workers ahead of the legal requirement. The ministry then reminded employers paying wages above the minimum rate that they are not permitted to reduce salaries to match the statutory threshold. The ministry announced that the Minimum Wage Order 2024 will take effect on Aug 1, 2025, setting a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month for employers with fewer than five employees who are not engaged in professional activities classified under the Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations 2020. The ministry urged employers to comply with the minimum wage laws enforced by the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour, Sabah Labour Department and the Sarawak Labour Department. Employers found guilty of failing to do so face fines of up to RM10,000 for each affected worker, the statement concluded. - Bernama


Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
RM50 million for 42,000 Sarawak students
Published on: Friday, August 01, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 01, 2025 Text Size: Premier Abang Johari emphasised the programme's role in cultivating a globally competitive generation, capable of seizing opportunities both domestically and internationally. KUCHING: The Sarawak Government demonstrated its unwavering commitment to education by launching the Special Financial Aid (BKK), a RM50.4 million initiative providing crucial financial support to 42,000 Sarawakian students pursuing higher education nationwide. Each eligible student will receive RM1,200, disbursed via the S Pay Global platform in two RM600 instalments per semester. This aid, announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Kuala Lumpur, is open to all Sarawakian students, regardless of income, signifying a proactive approach to ensuring accessibility and opportunity. The BKK is more than just financial assistance; it's a strategic investment in Sarawak's future. Premier Abang Johari emphasised the programme's role in cultivating a globally competitive generation, capable of seizing opportunities both domestically and internationally. This initiative underscores the Sarawak Government's vision of empowering its youths through education, bolstering the State's economic competitiveness on a global scale. The programme's expansion from its initial focus on lower-income households to encompass all full-time diploma and bachelor's degree students highlights a commitment to inclusivity and equity. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof's Facebook post confirmed the approval of 15,000 applications, with payments underway, and announced a second application phase opening in September for new and missed applications. This phased rollout ensures a smooth and efficient distribution of funds, maximising the impact of this significant investment. The BKK exemplifies the Sarawak Government's dedication to its people, translating its strengthening revenue into impactful welfare and education programs. This initiative is not merely a financial handout; it's a powerful symbol of the State's determination to leave no one behind in its pursuit of progress and prosperity. The programme's success will undoubtedly contribute to Sarawak's continued growth and development, driven by a well-educated and empowered populace. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia