Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Malaysians should be thankful that the Government provides a huge allocation from preschool up to primary and secondary school level, as well as higher learning institutes (IPT) through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). The Chief Minister said the PTPTN, since its inception in 1997 has enabled 227,000 students to further their studies at tertiary level, a significant increase compared to the mere 27,000 students who were able to do so before that.
This thus proves the Government's sincerity in protecting all sections of the community, including the youth and students, he said, adding with the assistance parents who previously had to sell land or house or borrow from the bank no longer have to worry and be burdened by it.
"The State Government appreciates the PTPTN's noble effort in ensuring there is efficient financing provided for qualified students of higher learning institutions, in line with the Government policy to enable each student access to a quality and affordable education," he said at the State-level presentation of the PTPTN initial financing money at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Saturday.
He also hoped these students take full advantage of the opportunity to study in the university and excel in their respective fields.
UMS Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, meanwhile, disagreed with claims by certain quarters that PTPTN was no longer relevant.
He said the PTPTN contribution should be appreciated because, as shown through the presentation of the PTPTN initial financing money, it truly helps in easing parents' burden.
Saturday's presentation of PTPTN initial financing money involved a total of RM1,897,500 and 1,265 students under the university's June 2012 intake, said Kamaruzaman, adding that each of the students received RM1,500.
Last year the PTPTN spent RM9,627,000 on financing 6,418 students in Sabah.
He said to date 559,913 warrants of initial financing money issued by the PTPTN have already been cashed out, involving RM812 million, adding that this year the nationwide presentation of the money involves 32,777 students and RM49 million in total allocation.
