Premier: Bank Negara's approval needed for overseas Sarawakian students' financial aid
KUCHING (May 4): The Sarawak government requires approval and clear guidelines from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to ensure the Special Financial Assistance (BKK) can be fairly distributed to Sarawakians pursuing their studies abroad, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Abang Johari stated that the BKK of RM1,200 is currently distributed only to Sarawak students enrolled in institutions of higher learning within Malaysia.
He also clarified that the special financial assistance has not been extended to students studying overseas due to complexities in foreign currency exchange transactions, which are strictly monitored by financial authorities.
'The issue is not that we refuse to provide assistance, but this process is very complex and requires approval and clear guidelines from BNM,' he said during the Sarawak Agenda Townhall session in conjunction with Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025, United Kingdom (UK) Edition in London on Saturday.
It was previously reported that Sarawakian students pursuing higher education at public and private institutions across Malaysia could apply for the state's BKK starting May 1.
Introduced during Abang Johari's winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting in November last year, the assistance was initially targeted at students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below.
However, the eligibility has since been expanded to include all full-time diploma and bachelor's degree students with Sarawakian status, regardless of socioeconomic background.
On another note, Abang Johari also announced that the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025′ – United Kingdom (UK) Edition will become an annual event following the overwhelming response and strong participation from the Sarawakian student community abroad to its inaugural event in London on Saturday.
He revealed that the 2026 edition will take place in the city of Manchester.
'After discussions with my fellow Cabinet Ministers from Sarawak who are here with me, we have agreed to establish 'Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak' UK Edition as an annual event starting next year,' he said at the Sarawak Students' Gala Dinner later that evening.
The event brought together hundreds of Sarawakian students currently pursuing their studies in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, celebrating their shared heritage and camaraderie. abang johari lead overseas students special financial assistance
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