KUCHING: All Sarawakian students enrolled in Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) across the country are eligible to receive a special cash aid of RM1,200, regardless of their family's per capita income.

This was announced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, following concerns raised by several Assembly members about using household income per capita as a criterion for eligibility.

"I have heard these concerns, and I am pleased to announce that all Sarawakian students pursuing their studies in higher learning institutions throughout Malaysia will be eligible, regardless of their family income," he said during his winding-up speech on the final day of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Wednesday.

In his Sarawak Budget 2025 speech delivered last Monday, the Premier had outlined details of the RM1,200 cash allowance, initially targeted for students from low-income households with a per capita household income of RM1,500 or less.

He said this financial aid reflects the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government's commitment to prioritising the welfare of Sarawak's youth.

Meanwhile, when asked by the media after the conclusion of the 19th DUN Sarawak session, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari confirmed that the disbursement mechanism for the aid will be managed by Yayasan Sarawak.-UKASnews