MEMBAKUT: Some 20,000 Sabahans studying in higher learning institutions in Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia are eligible to receive subsidies for flight tickets provided by the Federal and State governments, next year.
State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who disclosed this, said they can use the FLYsiswa flight ticket subsidy, which has been increased from RM300 to RM400 per person, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, starting Jan 1.
Commending the FLYsiswa initiative, he said it would help to ease the financial burden of Sabahan studying in the peninsula, Sarawak and Labuan, or vice versa.
Dr Mohd Arifin said this to reporters after presenting Christmas aid to 18 churches and church leaders, here.
At the State level, Dr Mohd Arifin, who is also Sabah Education Exco, said for the first time, the State Government will introduce flight ticket subsidies next year under two programmes, namely the “Higher Education Students in Sabah (Sentosa) and the “Graduan Rindu Sabah” programme for Sabah youths studying locally and in Sarawak, Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia.
He said both programmes were announced by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun when he tabled the 2025 State Budget in October this year.
“The Sentosa flight ticket subsidy programme is for Sabah students studying within Sabah — such as those at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), UiTM, Polytechnics and other institutions.
“They can use this one-off RM300 subsidy per student to go back home within the State such as to Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu, among others.
“Under the ‘Graduan Rindu Sabah’ programme, Sabah IPT students will be able to enjoy a flight subsidy of RM600 per person for those studying in the Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan, to return home,” he said.
To a question, Dr Mohd Arifin said Sabah IPT students can use both flight ticket subsidies stated under both programmes (Sentosa and Graduan Rindu Sabah) and the federal FLYsiswa flight initiative.
He said the flight subsidies can be used during festive seasons like Hari Raya, Christmas, Chinese New Year, or Kaamatan, and whenever they need it, starting next year.
