By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has implemented 14 educational assistance initiatives amounting to RM210.25 million over the past five years for human capital development across the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the initiatives have benefitted 90,296 higher education students, 184,911 school students, 1,500 schools including religious schools, and 57 Sabah student associations in higher education institutions, in addition to 362 educational programmes.
He said that for this year alone, the State Government has allocated RM100 million for the Sabah State Government scholarship to benefit 5,000 students.
“This significant allocation proves the government’s capability and strong commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the people of Sabah through education as a long-term investment,” he said at the launch of the domestic higher education student contribution assistance initiative (Sentosa) 2026 at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic.
At the event, 3,366 Sabah students at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic received Sentosa assistance in cash.
Hajiji said the assistance reflected the government’s concern for the welfare of Sabah students to ease their financial burden and enable them to return to their hometowns during festive seasons.
“This year, about 30,000 Sabah students studying at higher education institutions within the state will benefit from the Sentosa assistance,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Government will continue all 14 education initiatives this year, including the one-off higher education registration cash assistance (Budi), computer assistance initiative (Baik), special examination cash assistance (Bakti), state education savings assistance (Bistari), PIBG activity assistance (Bagus), Sabah school assistance (Bisbah), school minor maintenance assistance (Balkis) and special education programme assistance (Bantu).
Also to be continued are the Sabah education excellence awards (Aksa), Sabah Malaysia student secretariat (Semesta), Sabah graduate returns home assistance or Sabah students flight ticket subsidy (GRS-Subfly), Sentosa, one-off school activities contribution (Sukses) and the new assistance MUET registration fee assistance (Bayu).
He said the initiatives involve funding and facilities for various purposes, including higher education student registration, education programmes, and digital and facility support in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan agenda.
Hajiji stressed that although education falls under federal jurisdiction, the State Government remains proactive in fostering continuous cooperation to ensure fair and equitable access to education for all levels of society in Sabah.
He added that the effort is also in line with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap for 2026–2030, which serves as the state’s strategic plan to enhance competitiveness and productivity in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
“Students are the future leaders. Focus on learning and training because knowledge is the key to advancing the state and the nation.
“Make full use of the ticket subsidies, cash assistance and zakat provided by the government, while also keeping abreast of every development agenda implemented by the State Government, including infrastructure development for water, roads and electricity,” he said.
Hajiji presenting the Sentosa assistance to students of Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic as other guests look on.
