KUCHING – The Sarawak government will help its students repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans, in keeping with its incentive promises, said Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg today.
He said RM30 million is allocated for the purpose and the state government, through the Sarawak Foundation, has held talks with PTPTN to determine the method of repayment of the arrears.
“The discussion has just ended and there is a formula for us to help Sarawak students settle their arrears with PTPTN,” he told a press conference after handing over two buses donated by the state government to Mukah Polytechnic and Metro Betong Polytechnic at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.
The Sarawak government has spent almost RM600,000 to purchase the two buses with a capacity of 25 passengers for the two polytechnics.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the state government has also paid for the return travel fare costs of the state’s students studying in Peninsular Malaysia during the festive season.
"The Sarawak government has also taken the initiative to provide free school bus services to students, especially in Kuching, to ease the burden on parents,” he said.
Regarding preschool education, he said Tadika Sedidik, which was previously under the auspices of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), was taken over by the state government through the the state Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry to ensure preschool education in Sarawak is more organised and structured. – Bernama, January 18, 2021
