Kota Kinabalu: The State Government plans to provide free education for Sabah students at two state-owned higher learning institutions – University College Yayasan Sabah (UCSF) and Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS). This is in addition to introducing a loan subsidy policy, particularly for PTPTN and Yayasan Sabah loans, to ease students’ debt burden, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“This initiative will benefit more than 100,000 borrowers. I am optimistic that this policy is practical for the State Government to implement in line with the state’s financial position in the future.
This is also proof of the commitment of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government to ensure that more Sabah children receive assistance while guaranteeing access to education.
That is why the State Government places serious emphasis on education and human capital development because we believe the younger generation reflects the future of our beloved state,” he said at the Sabah Undergraduates Convention at KDCA Hall, Sunday.
Since being entrusted to lead Sabah, Hajiji said his administration has given strong focus to education and human capital development. This has been translated into the SMJ Development Blueprint, an inclusive and comprehensive development plan that has successfully brought significant progress to Sabah, he said.
“Since 2021, the State Government has spent more than RM1.3 billion on education. This is the largest allocation in Sabah’s history, marking the government’s strong commitment to the youths.
“More than 14 education initiatives have been introduced, among them a one-off RM600 aid for Sabah students pursuing studies in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan through the GRS-SubFly programme, as well as RM300 assistance under the Sentosa initiative for students studying within the state,” he said.
The State Government has also provided the largest scholarship fund since independence, amounting to RM136 million in 2025, benefiting thousands at various levels of study.
The State Government also established the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) to help students facing financial challenges.
“All this was made possible because the State Government has managed to increase state revenue to a record high of nearly RM7 billion,” he said.
Besides education, the State Government also prioritised people’s welfare through various programmes under the SMJ initiative, among them the provision of free SMJ Friendly Homes for the hardcore poor and poor groups, and the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (SYUKUR) initiative, which provides monthly assistance of RM300 for 12 months to 100,000 recipients, beginning this year.
Hajiji is confident that Sabahans, especially the 970,000 young voters, would make the right choice in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17).
He said PRN17 is very crucial as it will determine the continuity of Sabah’s development under GRS.
“The future of Sabah is in your hands. Do not waste this opportunity. Sabah cannot afford to be left behind any longer. We have great potential to become a developed and successful state. This is the time, this is the moment,” he said.
He said the GRS Government has proven its capability with a strong track record in various fields such as education, economy, welfare, investment, and revenue management.
“Make the best choice — one that guarantees continuity of development, political stability, and the well-being of the people. This election is our golden opportunity to choose a strong government, and most importantly, a government dominated by local parties.
“Let us not repeat past mistakes. Some claimed they wanted change, but the opposite happened. Development and progress stalled. Many projects were abandoned due to weak and poorly planned policies. In the end, we were the ones who suffered the consequences,” he said.
He further said the State Government has succeeded in placing Sabah on a strong economic track.
“In the first quarter of 2025, Sabah recorded the third-highest investment inflows in Malaysia, thereby creating more job opportunities, particularly for Sabah youths.
Latest statistics show that the state’s unemployment rate has been reduced from 8.2 per cent in 2020 to only 6.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2025.
“This is not just numbers, but a reality that shows many Sabah youths now have better access to stable and well-paying jobs,” he saidOn the resolutions adopted by the Convention that was attended by some 1,000 students, Hajiji requested that they be submitted to the State Government as soon as possible for serious consideration.
Also present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and senior officials.