Sarawak rolls out special cash aid for tertiary students, RM50.4 mln allocated
KUCHING (July 30): The Sarawak government has allocated RM50.4 million for the Special Financial Aid (BKK) to support Sarawakian students pursuing higher education during its launch in Kuala Lumpur today.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the launch announced that each eligible student will receive RM1,200, disbursed in two phases of RM600 per semester via the S Pay Global platform.
Open to all Sarawakian students regardless of household income, the BKK aims to ease the financial burden on families and help students focus on their academic journey.
The aid is expected to benefit around 42,000 Sarawakian students currently enrolled in institutions of higher learning nationwide.
'The Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has delivered on its promise. This shows that we care, not only about the students as Sarawakians, but because we are a government that is genuinely concerned about the future of our state,' said Abang Johari.
Also at the ceremony here were Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Sarawak Attorney-General Dato Sri Saferi Ali; and other dignitaries.
The Premier described the BKK as part of a larger strategy to empower youth through education and enhance Sarawak's global economic competitiveness.
'This assistance is provided regardless of students' backgrounds. We want to cultivate a generation that is knowledgeable, competitive and ready to seize opportunities not just within Sarawak, but internationally,' he said.
Abang Johari also stressed the importance of preparing Sarawak's youth to become globally competent professionals in an increasingly borderless economic landscape.
'This is a strategic form of assistance. We have bright Sarawakian students who are intellectually capable and can pursue studies that are relevant to current global economic developments,' he said.
He further noted that application numbers are expected to increase and reaffirmed the state's commitment to introducing more student-focused initiatives in the future.
Introduced as part of Abang Johari's winding-up speech during 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 broadened to include all full-time diploma and bachelor's degree students with Sarawakian status, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, in his speech said the aid is designed not only to ease students' financial pressures but also to motivate them to excel in their studies.
A second application phase will open in September, catering to newly enrolled students and those who missed the initial round. Abang Johari BKK financial aid tertiary education
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