KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak Government has fulfilled its promise by channeling the ‘Bantuan Kewangan Khas’ (BKK) initiative amounting to RM1,200 per year to eligible Higher Education Institution (IPT) students, proving its ongoing concern for the welfare and well-being of this group.

Sarawak Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee said that the disbursement of the assistance has begun to be channeled in stages starting at 1.15 p.m. today to the first group of students.

“I am grateful that this programme was successfully launched at exactly 1 p.m. today. This means that what the Sarawak Government promised has been fulfilled.

"Although there was a slight delay, the promise was still kept," he said when met by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) after the launch of the BKK disbursement at a leading hotel here on Wednesday.

Datuk Dr. Annuar added that previously the meticulous verification process involving 42,000 applicants had taken longer than expected.

"In the past two to three weeks, there have been students who have asked when the money will be disbursed.

"I apologise to them because the number of applications is very large and this is the first time we have implemented such a verification process," he said.

He informed that the Sarawak Government had initially planned to disburse the aid in early July, but technical factors and data verification requirements caused a slight delay.

However, he stressed that the Sarawak Government's priority was to ensure that the aid truly reached the eligible students without overlooking others.

“This RM1,200 a year means RM100 a month for each student. It is clear proof that the Sarawak Government is very concerned and wants to ensure that students can fully focus on their studies,” he said.

Commenting on the next application phase, he expected the number of applicants in September to be lower, which is only around 15,000 students, especially new students who will register at higher learning institutions that month.

“For those who dropped out or have not had time to apply, they can submit their applications when it reopens in September,” he added.

This BKK initiative is among the initiatives of the Sarawak Government under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, prioritising education and human capital development as the foundation of Sarawak’s progress. -UKASnews