Latest news with #SpecialFinancialAssistance
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
As June 1 submission deadline draws closer, 55 pct students eligible for Sarawak's Special Financial Assistance yet to apply for aid
Photo for illustration purposes only. — Photo by Armin Rimoldi/Pexels KUCHING (May 26): Sarawak's Special Financial Assistance (BKK) initiative has received just over 27,000 applications, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said based on the ministry's estimation, as of May 24, there are 60,220 students eligible for the RM1,200 pocket money. 'As of May 24, 2025, a total of 27,033 students have submitted their applications. 'I would like to give notice to all eligible students that the closing date for the application is on June 1, 2025,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. In delivering his ministerial winding-up speech, Sagah said every Sarawakian studying at tertiary institutions across the country are entitled to the annual pocket money, regardless of household income. 'This initiative is not just about easing the burden of daily expenses. It enables our students to focus on their studies, to dream bigger, and to move forward without the weight of financial worries,' he said pointing out the initiative is also an investment in social mobility, economic prosperity, and a more equitable society. On the free laptop and book voucher initiatives, Sagah said the state government has distributed 9,581 laptops and 3,015 book vouchers to eligible students in all tertiary institutions in Malaysia. 'This year, we expect more students will benefit this scheme. In collaboration with Yayasan Sarawak, our implementing agency, we will be enhancing our promotional efforts and engagement activities to ensure that more members of the public are aware of the educational assistance available to students.' He said the assistance is open to all Sarawakians, studying full-time at any public or private higher learning institution recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education across the country. 'It is meant for students from families with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month. 'For the free laptop, applicants must also be in their first year of study, to help them start their studies with the right tools,' he said, adding that all applicants must be registered in the My-Yayasan system.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Former rep urges Sarawak govt to simplify BKK aid process for students
Chang highlights that students from the rural areas, those with parents employed in the informal sector, and those from estranged or single-parent households, often lacked formal income documentation. SIBU (May 25): Irene Chang has called upon the Sarawak government to streamline the application for the Special Financial Assistance (BKK) scheme for tertiary-level students, citing bureaucratic hurdles as potentially excluding those most in need. The BKK scheme, which offers RM1,200 in financial aid to each eligible Sarawakian tertiary student, was lauded by Chang as 'a commendable initiative'. However, the former Bukit Assek assemblywoman noted that the current application process, which required the submission of parents' payslips via the Yayasan Sarawak portal, presented a significant barrier to many applicants. 'This requirement contradicts the scheme's intended purpose of supporting all students regardless of their economic or social background,' she said in a statement. 'It risks excluding the very students the scheme aims to help.' Chang highlighted that students from the rural areas, those with parents employed in the informal sector, and those from estranged or single-parent households, often lacked formal income documentation. As a result, these students might be unfairly disqualified from receiving much-needed assistance, she pointed out. 'If the Sarawak government is sincere about helping our Sarawakian students, they should ensure that their applications should not be hindered by many red tapes. 'As such, I urge the government and Yayasan Sarawak to revise the application conditions to better reflect the realities faced by vulnerable students. 'The only two requirements that should be necessary are the proof that the applicant is a Sarawakian such as the 'K' indicator on their MyKad, and proof of enrolment to a recognised tertiary institution such as a student ID card or official offer letter.' During a recent State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, it was revealed that only 25,208 students had applied for the scheme out of an estimated 60,000 eligible candidates. 'This means that the scheme has reached less than half of its target beneficiaries,' said Chang, attributing this low uptake to the 'overly burdensome' application process. In this respect, Chang suggested the government extend the application timeline of June 1 this year to give more students the opportunity to apply. 'They should act swiftly and decisively to remove the unnecessary barriers to ensure that this initiative reaches every deserving Sarawakian student,' she added. BKK Irene Chang lead simplify process special financial assistance students
Borneo Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SUPP Kuching assists over 300 students at night counter for special aid applications
SUPP Kuching Branch helping tertiary students apply for the RM1,200 special living aid at Life Café Padungan. KUCHING (May 17): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Kuching branch reaffirmed its commitment to the community by successfully hosting a night counter service at Life Café in Padungan here on Thursday, drawing strong participation from tertiary students and local residents. The event, part of an ongoing initiative to assist applicants for the state's Special Financial Assistance (BKK), was organised in response to positive demand following the previous week's session. According to Youth chief Nicholas Wung, the branch helped more than 300 tertiary students apply for the RM1,200 special living aid over two consecutive weeks. The branch, he added, also offered both on-site application processing and remote support through social media. 'In addition to in-person service, we received numerous inquiries and provided guidance through online channels,' said Wung in a statement. Besides the students' living aid applications, the counter also offered a range of services including Kenyalang Gold Card registration, social welfare subsidies, OKU registration, legal consultations, and document certification. Wung shared that Miri mayor Adam Yii, who happened to walk past the area at that time, visited the site to observe the operation and expressed praise for the team's down-to-earth service delivery and responsiveness. 'The volunteers, comprising members from the Branch Committee, Youth Wing, Women's Wing, and community leaders have provided their assistance, ensuring the programme's smooth process. 'Assistance extended beyond form filling, including help with parental income verification, Sarawak ID registration, and income documentation for families without formal proof,' he stated. Wung encouraged eligible tertiary students and local residents to seize the opportunity and reaffirmed the branch's commitment to continuing services as needed. For inquiries, contact SUPP Kuching branch Youth on 010-966 9909 or via their Facebook page. aid applications BKK lead night counter students SUPP Kuching
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Activist urges clarity on eligibility for RM1,200 annual BKK for Sarawakian students
Voon also appeals to the state government to ensure that future financial assistance schemes are inclusive of the M40 group, which she said was frequently overlooked in aid distribution. KUCHING (May 8): The Sarawak government should clarify whether household income will affect the eligibility for the state's Special Financial Assistance (BKK), said social activist Voon Shiak Ni. She commended the initiative as a 'people-friendly' measure aimed at supporting all Sarawakian students, whether they are studying at public or private institutions, where under BKK, eligible students can receive RM1,200 annually until the completion of their degree. 'However, some parents have raised concerns after noticing a section in the application form requiring a declaration of household income, and this has led to uncertainty over whether or not income levels may influence the approval of applications. 'We would like to seek clarification if all university students with Sarawakian status are eligible for this financial benefit under the scheme, regardless of the household income of the parents,' she said in a statement. Voon also noted that Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee previously stated the BKK scheme is expected to benefit around 60,000 Sarawakian students and to qualify, applicants must also have an active S Pay Global account. She also appealed to the state government to ensure that future financial assistance schemes are inclusive of the middle-income group (M40), which she said was frequently overlooked in aid distribution. 'The M40 group also faces increasing financial pressure amid rising cost of living, and is not spared from the hardships of tightening their purse strings. They too deserve to be considered in welfare programmes,' she said. She also expressed her gratitude for the government's efforts in improving the people's standard of living, and reiterated her hopes that the BKK scheme would be implemented fairly and inclusively. BKK education aid lead Voon Shiak Ni
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
