Sarawak is exploring a new way to ease the financial pressures faced by its young scholars.
The state government is reviewing a proposal to channel RM15,000 annually to students from B40 families pursuing studies at public universities throughout Malaysia.
Premier Abang Johari Openg said that for now, the aid is only given to those in state-run institutions, but the government hopes to expand it so that more Sarawakian students can benefit.
“The goal is to ensure that no Sarawakian is denied the chance to pursue higher education due to financial constraints,” he said at the 29th Convocation of UNIMAS in Kota Samarahan.
Currently, students from the state studying in public or private universities are eligible for RM1,200 in annual financial assistance through the Special Aid Scheme for Sarawak Students.
This initiative aligns with Sarawak’s plan to introduce free higher education next year at Swinburne Sarawak, Curtin Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College, where eligible students from households earning under RM1,500 per capita will also receive a RM15,000 yearly allowance.