Sabah mulls free tertiary education, expands student aid
Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025
By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government is studying the feasibility of providing full education coverage, including free higher education, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Arifin Arif. While primary and secondary education is already free, the study explores extending similar support to the tertiary level. Existing efforts include the Human Resource Development Department's ILTP programme and various scholarships from the State Government and Yayasan Sabah. In reply to Lamag assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who urged Sabah to follow Sarawak's move on free university education and allowances for low-income students, Arifin said 306 students from Ranau received BUDI aid in 2024, and 29 so far in 2025. He also announced that 146 STPM students who scored 4.0 CGPA received RM1,000 each, with RM3,000 awarded to national top scorer Daniel Hakimi Roland. Under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Education Programme, 13 initiatives have been rolled out, including BUDI (IPT aid), BAKTI (exam cash), BAIK (computers), BAGUS (teacher-parent aid), BISBAH (school aid), and others targeting various educational needs. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Stick to trusted news sources: Bernama boss
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 Text Size: Musa (right) receiving a souvenir from Wong. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman on Tuesday received a courtesy call from Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai at Istana Seri Kinabalu, here. Wong's visit, which was his first since Musa took office as the 11th Governor of Sabah in January, was also accompanied by Bernama Sabah Bureau Chief Fadzli Ramli, journalist Noorazlina Jindeh and photographer Zamain Singkui. The 40-minute meeting was conducted in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Wong said discussions with the Governor focused on the role of government media agencies in combating the spread of fake news, particularly on social media. The meeting also touched on the exchange of views and ideas, as well as current issues in Sabah, and how to enhance news coverage to counter misinformation more effectively. 'As government media, agencies like Bernama, RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) and the Department of Information (Japen) must work to improve the quality of news coverage in Sabah, especially as the State continues to face a wide range of issues - political, social, developmental and economic,' he said. Wong stressed that it is vital for government media to provide accurate and trustworthy information, especially in the face of misinformation and politically charged narratives that often circulate online. 'As a government news agency, Bernama - along with RTM - must ensure that the information we deliver is factual and responsible, as social media is often flooded with inaccurate and misleading stories,' he added, reiterating that official media outlets remain reliable sources of information. Musa, a former Chief Minister, was sworn in as the State's Governor for a four-year term beginning Jan 1, 2025. He succeeded Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, who served four terms from Jan 1, 2011, until his tenure ended on Dec 31, 2024. * 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
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Another morale blow for Labuan
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 By: Sohan Das Text Size: Fauziah said it is left to be seen if the new LC chairman will bring benefits to Labuan and boost the local economy. LABUAN: Labuan Women's Affairs Association (Hawa) Chairwoman Fauziah Datuk Din regretted that once again a non-local has been appointed Chairman of the local lead agency, Labuan Corporation. She said the choice meant that no one on the island was competent for the job, dashing the hopes of many who had expected the post to be returned to Labuan. Dato Husni Salleh, a senior civil servant, was appointed to the post which had been vacant since June following the expiry of the two-year term of Tan Sri Anifah Aman from Sabah, which was opposed by many here. Anifah broke tradition since all previous chairmen since 2001 were locals. Among them were Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Datuk Rozman Isli, Datuk Bashir Akias and Dato Amir Hussin. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah DAP confident of winning 8 seats
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Chan was the first DAP assemblyman to win the then-government's (BN-PBS) traditional seat of Sri Tanjong. TAWAU: Sabah DAP Deputy Chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin is confident it can win at least eight seats in the 17th State Election (PRN17) if given the space and opportunity. He said besides being determined to defend its six current seats, the party is also aiming to recapture Sri Tanjong and Elopura, whose representatives left to join Warisan, with an overall target of between eight and 10 seats. However, he added, this would depend on the party's strategy as seat negotiations and candidate selection have yet to be finalised. The DAP National Policy Director also confirmed he would not be contesting in PRN17, saying he wanted to focus on his duties as Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament and as a Deputy Minister at the Federal level. Moreover, Chan said, Tawau DAP had younger, capable leaders ready to be promoted. 'DAP has always had a team of new-generation leaders. I am already considered part of the veteran generation in Sabah and I will not be holding two seats at once. We (must) be fair,' he said. Chan was the first DAP assemblyman to win the then-government's (BN-PBS) traditional seat of Sri Tanjong. Responding to a question, he described speculation that the State Election would be held on Sept 7, following the Prime Minister's visit to the State, as rumours. 'I don't even know the PM's schedule, let alone when the Sabah Chief Minister might get the idea to dissolve (the Assembly). Whatever will come, will come. If they want to dissolve, just dissolve,' he said. On reports that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) was seeking 50 seats while Pakatan Harapan (PH) wanted 23 seats, Chan stressed that the seat allocation negotiations were still ongoing and have yet to be finalised. 'Sometimes it's said PH will contest 25 seats, sometimes 23. I don't know myself. There's no need to chase numbers because the negotiations are not yet complete,' he said. * 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
