Transport subsidy for Sabahan students

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 3): Sabahan students studying in higher learning institutes locally will be given a one-off subsidy of RM300 to ease their traveling expenses when returning to their hometowns during festive seasons.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the subsidy will be given to Sabahan students studying in public and private higher learning institutes (IPT) within the state to help them return to their hometowns to enjoy the celebrations with their families.

“For example, students from Tawau or Sandakan studying in higher learning institutes in Kota Kinabalu, and vice versa, will receive this one-off subsidy. They can use the assistance to purchase plane or bus tickets.

“The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government under my leadership is a government that always listens to the people’s concerns. That’s why we continually listen to what the people, including our students, are asking for.

“Various initiatives and assistance provided to the people, especially students, are aimed at developing knowledgeable and skilled human capital, which will help develop this state in the future,” he said during the closing ceremony of the Konvensyen Mahasiswa GRS at the Raia Hotel here today.

He added that detailed information regarding the subsidy assistance, including the number of recipients, is currently being processed by the relevant parties.

Hajiji said that last Ramadan, a one-off subsidy of RM600 was provided to Sabahan students studying in public and private institutions in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan.

“Previously, I announced the implementation of an airfare subsidy that we named ‘Graduan Rindu Sabah.’ Through this initiative, Sabahan students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Labuan received a one-off assistance of RM600 each. This assistance was used by students to return home for festivals or semester breaks,” he said.

Meanwhile, state Education Exco Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Arif when met at the program explained, “this assistance, which we will introduce as Sentosa, is meant to help our children return to their hometowns, whether for Hari Raya, Christmas, Chinese New Year, or other celebrations.”

Mohd Arifin said that the subsidy would be disbursed early next year as the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are in January and March respectively.

“We will start accepting and processing the relevant applications. This is what we need to coordinate quickly,” he said, adding that more information on the application process would be made available through the state financial assistance portal.