MIRI: Next year’s budget focus on young people has received the thumbs-up with the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) saying it reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to nurturing its youth.
In hailing this move, its Youth Publicity and Information Secretary, Kelvin Hii, commended the budget’s comprehensive approach to educational support, especially for students from low-income families.
“To ensure poverty does not impede access to education, the budget introduces several initiatives,” he said.
Under the plan, students from households earning less than RM1,500 per month will receive a RM1,200 allowance for essentials, a RM500 book voucher, and access to free laptops for tertiary studies.
Additionally, Form 4 and Form 5 students will have free tutoring available to them. These initiatives specifically target students in genuine need, ensuring that financial hardship does not limit their academic potential.
Sarawak’s commitment to youth extends beyond immediate aid, with plans to offer free education by 2026, covering tuition fees for local students.
This policy, unique within Malaysia, reflects a long-term vision for educational accessibility.
The state will also maintain a 30 per cent discount on PTPTN loans to encourage repayment while promoting financial independence among graduates.
Beyond youth-focused initiatives, the budget provides significant support to low-income families.
Households earning less than RM5,000 will receive RM800 in financial assistance, while seniors with similar incomes who live alone will get RM400, and single individuals earning below RM2,500 will receive RM250.
“This budget underscores Sarawak’s commitment to its people, empowering them with resources to rise above economic hardship,” said Hii.
He said this supportive framework aligns with the government’s strategy to strengthen Sarawak’s future by investing in education and providing crucial, non-dependency-based aid to those most in need.
