Sandakan students receive Sabah State Education Fund
SANDAKAN (Aug 19): The commitment of the Sabah State Government's through Yayasan Sabah Group in strengthening education was reinforced with the handing over of the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) assistance on Tuesday at the Libaran Multipurpose Hall, Sandakan.
The ceremony was headed by the Sabah Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Haji Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Haji Mohd Arif. who is also the chairman of the TPNS Implementation Committee.
Also present were the Yayasan Sabah director Dato' Sri Haji Gulamhaidar who serves as the Deputy Executive Chairman of TPNS, members of the TPNS Committee, accompanied by representatives of government agencies and educational institutions.
This ceremony featured a total of 39 top-performing students, consisting of 16 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students, two Malaysian University English Test (MUET) students, 17 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students and four STPM (rural school) students from the year 2024.
Each recipient received a cash aid of RM1,000 for high achievers in SPM, STPM and MUET, as well as RM500 for rural STPM students to help alleviate their financial burden in pursuing higher education.
In addition, a total of 441 students from the B40 group received a one-off financial aid, consisting of 17 students from Sandakan Polytechnic, 143 students from the Sandakan Industrial Training Institute (ILP), 35 students from Sandakan Community College, 51 students from the Sandakan TVET Skills College, 104 undergraduate students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), two postgraduate students from UMS, 86 students from the Open University Malaysia (OUM) Sandakan Learning Centre, and three students from higher education institutions within the Sandakan district.
At the same event, 50 students also received assistance in the form of an eyeglasses. Three schools received the Adopted School Assistance. SK Sungai Manila, Sandakan and SK Pulau Timbang, Sandakan, each received RM5,000 and SMK Tongod received RM10,000. Sekolah Pondok Miftahussalam, Sandakan, received RM6,500.
Arifin also presented the Sandakan district Student Icon Honorarium to Mohammad Azmir bin Misnani in recognition of his outstanding achievements on both academics and co-curricular activities.
In the same event, educational assistance was also provided to students through several existing initiatives including the School Effort Encouragement Assistance (BAGUS), the General Student Excellence Scheme (SUKSES), Special Examination Assistance (BAKTI) and the Best Student Incentive Aid (BISTARI) as part of ongoing efforts to support the development of this state's talent resources.
TPNS is a proactive initiative by the Sabah State Government through the Yayasan Sabah Group in an effort to ease the financial burden of low-income families. It also reflects the commitment to ensure that education is accessible to all segments of society.
The ceremony is hoped to serve as a catalyst of inspiration for students to continue pursuing excellence, hence producing a knowledgeable and competitive generation capable of contributing comprehensively to the progress of this state.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
KTI Landmark to develop cultural complex in Sabah worth RM107mil
PETALING JAYA: KTI Landmark Bhd has entered into a development agreement with the Sabah State Government to develop a cultural complex with facilities, amenities and related infrastructure on a public-private partnership basis by way of land swap initiative, worth RM107mil. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, KTI Landmark said the Government has identified a parcel of state land measuring a total area of 153 acres in Kinarut reserved for a 'Cultural Complex Site.'
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
MOE open to reviewing RMT rates amid rising costs
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is prepared to review the current Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) rates in light of the rising cost of goods, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said any revision, however, would depend on the government's financial position and the approval of the Finance Ministry. The current RMT rates are RM3.50 per student for Peninsular Malaysia and RM4 for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. "Regarding the RMT allocation, the rate was last revised in November 2022. "We acknowledge the rising costs and are prepared to review the matter. "However, any revision is subject to the government's current financial position, particularly the approval of the Finance Ministry. "As for the RMT budget, the allocation has already increased this year," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN–Tumpat). Wong said the allocation stood at RM784 million in 2024 and had risen to RM869 million in 2025, an increase of RM85 million, or 10.88 per cent. "This reflects the government's commitment to ensuring the RMT programme is implemented as effectively as possible for the benefit of our children," he said. He said the ministry consistently ensures operational policies under the RMT are adhered to by all participating schools through the monitoring task force established last year. He said the first round of monitoring was carried out in December 2024, followed by a second round in February 2025. "These efforts will continue in collaboration with the Health Ministry to ensure that the 20 prescribed menus are strictly followed. "At the same time, the quality of implementation will be monitored not only by the task force but also by school administrators," he said.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PAC seeks clarity in RM10.7bil KTMB train leasing deal with China
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for greater transparency and scrutiny in the government's plan to procure electric trains through leasing, warning that the project is still at a preliminary stage. The proposal, first announced in August last year by the government, involves 62 new electric multiple unit (EMU) train sets for KTMB under a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with China. The estimated cost is RM10.7 billion over 30 years, payable in instalments, with the first phase scheduled for 2024 to 2027. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the committee concluded that the figure was only an estimate and no final contract had been signed. "As of Feb 12, 2025, PAC's proceedings found that the procurement process for electric trains had not yet been finalised and was still at the stage of study, refinement and ongoing negotiations with central agencies, including the Finance Ministry," she said in a press conference at parliament today. She said the committee had invoked its powers to examine the matter and held proceedings on Feb 12 with three key witnesses, namely, the Transport Ministry's secretary-general, the Railway Asset Corporation's CEO and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB)'s group CEO. The committee said leasing was chosen due to limited government funds and the urgent need to address high demand and existing train shortages. CRRC of China was identified as supplier for the first phase, based on technical expertise and its assembly plant in Batu Gajah, Perak. PAC recommended seven improvements, including a Public-Private Partnership Unit-led cost-benefit analysis comparing leasing and purchase, clear justifications for each procurement phase, and government ownership of at least 51 per cent in CRRC Rolling Stock Centre (Malaysia). It also urged clarity on payment currency, maintenance obligations, compliance with safety standards, and the inclusion of local companies through open tenders.
