KUCHING: The Sarawak government through the Sarawak Volunteers and Yayasan Sarawak has provided financial assistance to between 10,000 and 12,000 Sarawak students studying at higher learning institutions.
Chief political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said that among the financial assistance provided are flight tickets whereby students can apply for them twice a year, either at RM300 or RM600.
He stressed on the importance of easing the burden of the students and that the state government is providing assistance through the ‘Graduan Pulang Sarawak’ subsidy scheme initiative (iGPS) for Sarawak students studying in higher institutions of learning.
“Usually in a year we get 10,000 to 12,000 applications from our students and that is the number of students that we are helping.
“They can either apply the RM300 or apply for the RM600 (incentive) so it depends on them (students) which to use for the festive period or the holiday season,” he told reporters at his Hari Raya Open house at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Fazzrudin hoped that the Sarawak owned airline company would be beneficial to university students.
“I hope that by having a (state owned) airline company, it can either give competitiveness among the (other) airlines or can reduce airfares.
“This would enable those in West Malaysia to come back here or those residing here can go to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
For the record, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on April 11 announced that Sarawak’s own airline company could be operational by next year.
Among those present at Fazzrudin’s open house was Abang Johari, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) deputy mayor Datuk Dr Zaiedi Suhaili.
