By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 26: Sarawakian students pursuing full-time diploma and bachelor’s degree studies at recognised higher learning institutions can soon apply for the Bantuan Kewangan Khas (BKK) or Special Financial Assistance starting May 1, with RM1,200 a year to be disbursed via S Pay Global.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, clarified today that the assistance is for all Sarawakian students, regardless of socio-economic background or institution, to address ongoing confusion among the public.
“The BKK is for everyone, across the board. Every student will receive RM1,200 per year, paid in two instalments of RM600 each semester,” he said at a press conference held at Yayasan Sarawak, Jalan Sultan Tengah, here today.
He stressed that BKK should not be confused with the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which is a separate initiative.
Dr Annuar explained that the BKK registration will be open online from May 1 until June 1.
Students must first register for a Sarawak ID and link it with the MyYayasan portal at https://myys.yayasansarawak.org.my.
Applications must also include verification documents to confirm student status, and applicants must hold an active S Pay Global account.
Once registered, students in multi-year programmes will automatically receive the assistance annually for the standard duration of their studies.
“The disbursement will be done through S Pay Global. Even if students are studying in West Malaysia, they can still use the funds via DuitNow linked to S Pay,” he said, adding that the funds cannot be cashed out but can be used for purchases and payments through S Pay-enabled merchants.
The first payment is expected to be disbursed at the end of June, following a thorough verification process by Yayasan Sarawak.
Students enrolling in September will have a second registration window to apply.
At the same time, Dr Annuar informed that the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, will officially launch the BKK programme on June 28.
“We are expecting about 60,000 Sarawakian students to benefit from it,” Dr Annuar said, urging students to apply early and not wait until the last minute.
To be eligible for the BKK, applicants must have at least one parent or guardian who is a Sarawakian.
Students must also be enrolled full-time in a diploma or bachelor’s degree programme at a public or private higher learning institution (IPTA or IPTS) recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).
Students pursuing master’s or PhD programmes, as well as those enrolled part-time, are not eligible for the assistance.
Additionally, students who extend their studies beyond the normal duration of their courses will not receive additional financial assistance. The BKK will only be provided for the standard number of years specified for their programmes.
The BKK was first announced by the Premier during the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak event in September last year, before being officially unveiled during the Sarawak Budget 2025 tabling.
Initially, the assistance was targeted at students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 and below.
However, following feedback and public confusion, the scheme was later expanded to cover all Sarawakian students, regardless of socio-economic background, as announced during the Premier’s winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
No other state in Malaysia currently offers such comprehensive financial support for its students.
Also present at the press conference were Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin and chief assistant director of the Scholarships, Programmes, and Assistance Division, Zamahari Saidi. — DayakDaily
