KUCHING: The verification process for the Special Financial Assistance or ‘Bantuan Kewangan Khas’ (BKK) Sarawak is experiencing delays due to the high volume of applications, with a total of 42,000 received to date.

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapa’ee said the process requires careful scrutiny as it involves the disbursement of financial aid to genuinely eligible applicants.

"The number of applications is very large, which is 42,000. The verification process needs to be done thoroughly because it involves money.

“We do not want the aid to be given to those who are not eligible, and at the same time, we also do not want to overlook deserving students," he said.

He said this to reporters after attending the TCS–Taqwa Foundation Educational Assistance Appreciation and Presentation Ceremony here, on Friday.

According to him, the delay is also caused by the need to confirm each application based on verification letters issued by the respective universities.

“We thought the process could be completed quickly, but as this is the first time it’s being implemented, it’s taking a bit more time. Moving forward, for existing students, verification will no longer be required. It will only apply to new intakes,” he said.

Datuk Dr. Annuar added that the original application deadline, which was initially set for 1 June 2025, was extended to 30 June 2025 to allow more students to apply.

Responding to allegations that the BKK is merely an empty promise, the Nangka Assemblyman firmly denied the claims.
"The allegation that this assistance is just an empty promise is untrue. It is not a lie. This assistance will be disbursed," he stressed.

For the record, Sarawakian students pursuing tertiary education at public and private institutions across Malaysia have been eligible to apply for BKK since 1 May.

The aid amounts to RM1,200 per year, disbursed in two payments of RM600 per semester through the S Pay Global app.
For students in Peninsular Malaysia, the funds can be transferred from S Pay Global to their respective DuitNow accounts. -UKASnews