Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government is currently conducting a study on the feasibility of offering full education coverage for Sabah students, including free higher education, said State Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Arifin Arif.
He said while primary and secondary education in Sabah has long been free, the government is exploring whether similar support can be extended to the tertiary level.
“We are conducting a study on this matter,” said Arifin during the recent State Assembly sitting.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“Some institutions have already been offering full scholarships, such as the Industrial Training and Learning Programme (ILTP) under the Human Resource Development Department (JPSM), which covers diploma-level training,” he said.
He added that many Sabah students currently enrolled in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) are already supported by either State Government scholarships, Yayasan Sabah or other education funds provided by the State.
Arifin was responding to a question from Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who asked whether Sabah would follow Sarawak’s move to provide free university education and RM15,000 annual allowances to students from low-income families.
Bung Moktar urged the Sabah Government to consider a similar approach to ease the financial burden of parents and ensure equal access to higher education.
In response to a follow-up question by Nominated Assemblywoman Datuk Amisah Yassin regarding Budi recipient from Ranau and incentives for high-performing students, Arifin revealed that 306 students from Ranau received the Budi education aid in 2024.
These included 199 pursuing bachelor’s degrees, 68 in diploma programmes, 16 in foundation (Asasi) studies and 23 in matriculation.
“So far in 2025, 29 Ranau students received Budi support,” he said.
Arifin also highlighted a new initiative to reward academic excellence. A total of 146 STPM students across Sabah who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA were given RM1,000 each, while one exceptional student, Daniel Hakimi Roland of SMK Kota Klias in Beaufort, who was named National Top STPM Student, received RM3,000 in recognition.
“This is a token of appreciation and encouragement for our students to strive for academic excellence,” Arifin said.
Arifin also elaborated on the 13 education initiatives introduced under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Education programme, which are coordinated by the Deputy State Secretary’s Office (Special Tasks).
These include Budi – One-off cash aid for IPT registration, Bakti – Exam cash assistance, Baik – Computer assistance, BAGUS – Assistance for teachers and parents, BISBAH – School aid,AKSA – Excellence awards, BISTARI – Education savings aid, BANTU – Special education aid, BALKIS – Minor school repairs, SEMESTA – Student secretariat support, GRS-SUBFLY – Flight ticket subsidies, Sentosa – In-state student assistance, Sukses – One-off school activity aid.
He said this in response to Amisah’s question on how many education aid programmes have been distributed under the SMJ Education Initiative.