Ahmad Zahid pushes for free air tickets for B40 uni students

DPM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi asks MOHE to consider free flights for B40 students studying outside their home districts, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has asked the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to coordinate with universities to consider providing free flight tickets to students from B40 families who are studying outside their home districts.

The UMNO president said he had communicated the matter to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir for consideration.

“…and I have instructed the Menteris Besar of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak, as well as the Melaka Chief Minister (UMNO-led state governments), to provide free tickets to B40 students from their respective states studying in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said this in his winding-up speech at the 2026 UMNO General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.

Yesterday, Sabah delegate Azuwan Marjan@Norjan raised concerns about high airfares, which he said are burdening B40 students from Sabah and Sarawak.

2026 UMNO General Assembly concludes today after a four-day gathering.