By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 11: The Sarawak government will continue to assist Sarawakian students in repaying their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans with RM15 million set aside under Sarawak Budget 2025.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the allocation would serve as assistance for the repayment of PTPTN loans for Sarawakian graduates who have repaid more than 30 per cent of their loans through the provision of the 30 per cent loan repayment discount as an incentive for settling outstanding loan balances.
“Since the introduction of this incentive in 2021, some 31,706 borrowers have benefitted, involving a total amount of RM116.57 million.
“For 2024, there are 5,419 eligible borrowers with total financial assistance of RM26.15 million.
“In 2025, an allocation of RM15 million will be provided for the same purpose,” he said when tabling the Supply (2025) Bill, 2024 during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Abang Johari, who is also the Sarawak Minister of Finance and New Economy, further said the Sarawak government will continue the roll out of free laptops and book vouchers to Sarawakian students from low and middle-income groups next year.
He elaborated that a sum of RM2 million will be allocated for the book vouchers of RM500 per person for Sarawakian IPTA and IPTS students from households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below.
Meanwhile, the free laptop initiative for Sarawakian students from households with per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below who have successfully enrolled into IPTA and IPTS, will be carried out with an allocation of RM30.5 million next year, benefitting 10,166 students. — DayakDaily
