Latest news with #YayasanSarawak
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
26-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Applications for RM1,200 annual BKK for Sarawakian students to open May 1
Dr Annuar (centre) together with Junaidi (left) and Zamahari showing posters announcing the opening date for the BKK registration after the press conference. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (April 26): Sarawakian students pursuing higher education at public and private institutions across Malaysia can apply for the state's Special Financial Assistance (BKK) starting this May 1. State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, encouraged all eligible students to seize this opportunity, which offers RM1,200 annually — disbursed in two instalments of RM600 each semester via SPay Global. 'This assistance is open to all students regardless of economic background. No other state has implemented such an initiative. The application period is open from May 1 to June 1, 2025. 'For those who miss the first application round, another opportunity will be opened in September, specifically for students enrolling later this year,' he told a press conference at Wisma Adenan at Yayasan Sarawak here today. He was accompanied by Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin and chief assistant director of the Scholarships, Programmes, and Assistance Division, Zamahari Saidi. Dr Annuar said that the initiative is expected to benefit around 60,000 Sarawakian students. It will be officially launched by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on June 28, and approved applicants will receive their first disbursement immediately after the launch. To qualify, applicants must be Sarawakians — meaning at least one parent or guardian is a Sarawakian — and must be enrolled full-time in a diploma or bachelor's degree programme at a public or private institution recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. Endorsement from their institutions is also required. Applications must be submitted online through the Yayasan Sarawak portal at with the necessary supporting documents. Students are reminded to ensure they have a valid Sarawak ID and an SPay Global account before applying. 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.
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to prioritise laptop aid under Yayasan Sarawak over book vouchers for students starting 2026
Dr Annuar says the move follows growing demand for laptops among students. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (April 23): The Sarawak government will prioritise implementing the laptop assistance scheme for students in the state over the free book voucher programme starting next year. State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, said the move follows growing demand for laptops among students. 'In Sarawak, we provide both laptop assistance and book vouchers. However, statistics show that more students are applying for laptops than book vouchers. 'Therefore, I propose we temporarily suspend the book voucher scheme and focus instead on providing laptops beginning next year, as the demand is significantly higher,' he said. He said this at the launch of the 'Let's Read Together for 10 Minutes' programme and Hari Raya gathering at the Sarawak State Library here today, where he represented Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. Dr Annuar also encouraged students to continue cultivating a reading habit, stressing it is the key to academic success. 'To all students in particular, I want to emphasise that there are no shortcuts to gaining knowledge. We must keep reading and expanding our understanding. We shouldn't stop reading once we think we know enough—we must continue to read in order to grow our knowledge. 'In fact, leaders too should practise reading regularly, as those who read widely tend to generate new ideas to advance the nation. On the other hand, leaders who do not read only speak in rhetoric without facts,' he said. Previously, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the state government's decision to replace the free book voucher initiative with laptop vouchers. He said the decision was based on feedback from last year's book voucher programme, which revealed that students were more inclined to opt for laptop assistance. The laptop and book voucher schemes are carried out through Yayasan Sarawak and are open to Sarawakian students pursuing higher education at public or private institutions, with household incomes of RM1,500 or below. dr annuar rapaee laptop assistance scheme students
Borneo Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's Chinese independent schools vital pillars of state's education landscape, says Sagah
Lau (sixth left) presents a memento to Sagah. They are flanked by Harden (left) and Dr Annuar. SIBU (April 22): The Sarawak government regards Chinese independent schools as key partners in delivering quality education — not alternatives or exceptions, but vital pillars of the state's education landscape, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development said this in his closing speech for the Town Hall Meeting with Sarawak Chinese independent schools at SM Wong Nai Siong here today. 'Let me be very clear, Sarawak Chinese independent schools are not outsiders. You are not an afterthought. You are, and will continue to be, an integral part of the education ecosystem in Malaysia,' he said, stressing the state's inclusive approach to education and its recognition of diverse schooling models. Sagah reiterated that while education falls under the Federal Constitution, Sarawak remains committed to inclusive policies and meaningful collaboration that reflect the state's unique educational landscape. 'We understand the challenges Chinese independent schools face. Through our ministry, we will continue to find ways to support and work together as one big family. Rest assured, you are part of Sarawak's education system, and we won't leave you out. You are always on our radar, ' he stated. He said education in Sarawak cannot follow a one-size-fits-all model, but must reflect the state's multicultural, multilingual, and multi-system reality. 'We may come from different schooling systems and frameworks, but we all share the same goal — to uplift the standard of education for our young Sarawakians. 'Today's dialogue has been more than just a meeting — it has been a reaffirmation of our shared values,' he said. Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary Schools Management Board chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming said the minister's message reflected a more inclusive direction. The town hall addressed various challenges faced by Chinese independent schools from funding to curriculum development and greater recognition of their role in shaping the next generation. Among those present were Deputy Ministers of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, as well as representatives from Yayasan Sarawak, Sarawak State Education Department, and district-level officials. lead Roland Sagah Wee Inn Sarawak Chinese independent schools
