DAP Sarawak chief: Delay in FTES stipends disbursement causing hardship for students

KUCHING (March 25): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen reminded the state government to expedite the disbursement of stipends under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

He said with over a month into the academic year, many students had yet to receive their stipends despite having begun their studies.

“While tuition fee payments to the four state-owned universities can be deferred, given that these institutions would continue classes without immediate payment, the same cannot be said for stipends.

“Many students depend on these funds for their daily living expenses, and their delay is causing unnecessary hardship,” said the Stampin MP in a statement.

He also reiterated his call for the state government not to overlook Sarawakian students studying outside the four state-owned institutions, such as those enrolled in public or private universities.

He said Sarawakian students in those varsities faced similar financial pressures and should not be excluded from assistance under FTES.

“They equally need support, yet they have been left out under the current implementation by the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government.

“In light of this, I propose the FTES be reviewed and expanded,” he said.

Among his suggestions were for the state government to fully cover tuition fees for Sarawakian students in public universities, noting that most already receive a 90 per cent subsidy from the federal government and only need to pay between RM1,200 and RM3,000.

He added that tuition fees for direct intake into public universities are often lower than those charged by the four state-owned institutions, making such support financially feasible.

Chong further proposed the state government subsidise at least half of the tuition fees for Sarawakian students studying in both local and overseas private universities.

“For students from B40 families, the state government should provide the same annual stipend of RM15,000 currently allocated to students in state-owned universities,” he said.