RM31,000 boost for PMU student foodbank

MUKAH: Politeknik Mukah (PMU) has received a RM31,000 allocation from the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) to implement the Foodbank Dapur Siswa MADANI initiative for students in need.

PMU Department of Student Affairs and Development (JHEPP) head Sanmastri Sanusi said the initiative, launched at Polymall Kamsis, would provide basic food assistance, particularly to students from low-income and underprivileged families.

She said the assistance was aimed at easing students’ financial burden and helping them cope with daily expenses, including food, transportation and other necessities.

“Such assistance may seem modest, but its impact on students is significant, as student life is not only about learning and academic assignments but also involves daily expenses, food costs, transportation and other necessities while on campus,” she said.

Sanmastri said the initiative was in line with the Ministry of Higher Education’s (MOHE) efforts to safeguard students’ welfare and well-being, particularly amid rising living costs.

“Among the main objectives of this initiative is to safeguard the welfare and well-being of students, particularly those who need support in meeting their basic needs.

“At the same time, this initiative helps address the rising cost of living on campus, which remains a challenge for some students,” she said.

She encouraged students facing financial difficulties not to feel embarrassed or hesitant to seek assistance through the channels provided by PMU.

At the same time, she urged recipients to use the assistance responsibly to ensure the initiative continued to benefit those who genuinely needed support.

Sanmastri said the programme’s success also depended on the wider PMU community working together to support students facing financial hardship.

“I believe student welfare is a shared responsibility. Therefore, the success of this initiative does not depend solely on financial allocations or food assistance, but also on the caring spirit and willingness of the PMU community to help one another,” she said.

She expressed hope that the initiative would ease students’ financial burden and allow them to concentrate more fully on their studies.