Latest news with #LanBerambehAnakSarawak
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Bank Negara's approval needed for overseas Sarawakian students' financial aid
Abang Johari is greeted by students who participate in the townhall session. 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
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Abg Jo says he's 'playing ball' with Petronas over oil and gas dispute
LONDON: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says he's "playing ball" with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) amid the ongoing dispute over natural gas in the state. The dispute over the issue has intensified, and yesterday, Petronas confirmed it had received a legal notice from the Sarawak government, stating that its exploration arm, Petronas Carigali, was operating illegally in Sarawak and had violated Section 7(e) of the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016. Petronas Carigali has been given 21 days to obtain the necessary licence, failing which could lead to financial penalties under Section 21A of the ordinance. Last Monday, Petronas failed to obtain an injunction in a Kuching high court to halt the suit filed by state-owned petroleum company, Petros, to stop the court from hearing the suit on gas payments. In a "Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025 United Kingdom Edition" event with Sarawak students studying in the United Kingdom, France and Germany here, the premier said he had received a call from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday to discuss resolving the escalating dispute. The premier said he has assured the prime minister that he is committed to pursuing a "win-win solution" that ensures a fair distribution of national oil and gas revenues. "In this issue, we're playing the game a bit with Petronas, but we will resolve it," he was quoted as saying in a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas). "The prime minister contacted me this morning, and we agreed to move forward with a fair and sincere approach," he said, adding that Sarawak has fulfilled its responsibilities despite not receiving additional revenue. Abang Johari said the resolution to end the dispute must be grounded in sincerity, fairness, and mutual benefit for both Petronas and Sarawak. The town hall session was attended by senior Sarawak government leaders, including Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, along with more than 230 Sarawakian students from the UK, Germany, and France. The event served as a platform to engage Sarawakian youth abroad and update them on the state's development agenda.
