Kuala Lumpur: A total of 13,550 students from Sabah have benefited from the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) from 2021 to 2024, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor.
As part of the Government's commitment to supporting education for Sabahan students, he said the State Government has continued to increase funding for BKNS, reaching an all-time high of RM128 million this year — a 150 per cent increase compared to 2020.
“Since taking over the administration in October 2020, the allocation for the BKNS fund has continued to increase, from RM50 million in 2020 to RM55 million in 2021, then RM101 million in 2023 and RM113 million in 2024,” he said during the Iftar Gathering with University Students from Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) with the Chief Minister at the KLCC Convention Centre, here, Thursday.
His speech was delivered by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who also serves as the State Exco for Education and Islamic Affairs.
Hajiji said the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS), which he launched in 2022, has benefited 7,483 students from the B40 income group who had not received sponsorship from any other organisation. The fund involved an allocation of RM8.6 million.
In order to further strengthen education assistance, he said various initiatives that have already been implemented will continue this year and will also be improved to assist students more comprehensively.
Among them, he said, is the Cash Assistance for IPT Registration (Budi), providing RM2,000 for degree-level students and RM1,500 for diploma or matriculation students.
“There is also the Special Examination Assistance (Bakti), offering RM200 to students sitting for the SPM, STPM and STAM examinations. Additionally, the Local Higher Education Student Contribution (Sentosa) and the Subsidised Airfare Assistance for Sabahan Students (Subfly) are provided to all public and private IPT students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan Sabah (YS), said the YS Group continuously offers various types of sponsorships to assist Sabahan students, including the Sabah State Excellence Scholarship, the Rural Student Excellence Scholarship, scholarships for Public IPT (IPTA) and Private IPT (IPTS), Study Grants and Higher Education Loans.
“The YS Group’s commitment to education development in Sabah is evident with education funding increasing by 86.38pc, from RM36.04 million in 2021 to RM67.17 million in 2024. This enables 3,234 students to benefit from YS Group's education sponsorships in 2024,” he added.
Hajiji said the State Government, through the YS Group, also provides educational infrastructure via the Sabah Foundation College of Technology (KTYS) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF), which have offered educational opportunities to thousands of Sabahan students since their establishment.
He said collaboration among local sponsoring bodies is also being strengthened through the Sabah State Education Portal (PTPS), which was launched last year to simplify the application process for educational sponsorships.
He said this includes sponsorship bodies such as the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis), the Sabah State Baitulmal Corporation (PBNS) and the Sabah Welfare Foundation (YKS).
Under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan’s human capital agenda, Hajiji said initiatives such as the SMJ Fellowship and the Sabah Youth Assembly were introduced to empower the talents and capabilities of young Sabahans while nurturing new leadership in the State.
“The State Government also provides various platforms for students to voice their opinions. Among them is the Sabah Student Consultative Council (MPPS), which has successfully brought together student leaders from all public and private IPTs, Teacher Education Institutes (IPG), training institutes, and even Form Six students.
“The Government has also established the Sabah Malaysia Student Secretariat (Semesta) as recognition for young people,” he said.
Hajiji said these various initiatives demonstrate how the State Government remains attentive and sensitive to the needs of Sabahan students to ensure their welfare is always protected.
“To all students, kindly convey my warm regards to your parents. God willing, the welfare of Sabahan students will always be prioritised by the State leadership as we move forward to achieve the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya,” he said.
He also extended Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings, wishing everyone “Maaf Zahir dan Batin” (forgiveness physically and spiritually) to all Sabahan students.
