SUNGAI PETANI, June 7 — The federal government has approved an additional RM1 million allocation for AIMST University to ensure students from underprivileged families continue to receive education assistance.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the additional allocation would supplement the annual grant given to the private university.

“The Madani Government will ensure that the poorest students at this university continue to receive guaranteed assistance. Therefore, I am adding RM1 million specifically for that purpose.

“Last week, we announced an allocation of RM100 for every secondary school and university student to purchase books,” he said when speaking at the annual government grant presentation ceremony for AIMST University in Bedong, near here, today.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and MIC president Tan Sri Dr SA Vigneswaran, who is also AIMST University chancellor and chairman.At the ceremony, AIMST University received an annual grant amounting to RM25 million.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that despite various global challenges, the country's economic growth remains resilient and strong.

He said the national unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level, while investment performance has recorded an all-time high in the country's history.

“We are certainly grateful, but as I always say, 'shouldn't be lulled into complacency'. See the challenges. One of the major challenges, of course, is education; how to ensure that we continue to excel,” he said.

The Prime Minister said education is an important instrument in uplifting the dignity of the people and building a better future.

Therefore, he said the government places education as a key component that receives the highest allocation in the Budget every year. — Bernama

KULAI, June 14 — The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has allocated RM210 million under the PTPTN eKasih Children’s Scholarship (PTPTN BAeK), benefiting 10,000 students from poor and hardcore poor families.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the allocation is a significant increase from the RM120 million announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2026 last October, which was expected to benefit 5,800 recipients.

“Under the latest announcement in the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035, the number of beneficiaries of this free education initiative has been increased to 10,000 from low-income families,” he said after presenting PTPTN BAeK awards to two recipients in Johor.

Also present were PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim, chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid and Johor PTPTN State Office director Mazni Ruslan.

Zambry said eligible recipients must be registered in the eKasih database and enrolled full-time in Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree programmes at public higher education institutions (IPTA) from Jan 1 this year.

He also urged the public and IPTAs to inform PTPTN of students who may qualify for the scholarship.

Meanwhile, Norliza said as of May 31, the scholarship had benefited 402 students nationwide, involving RM8.79 million in allocations since its introduction this year.

The scholarship is open to Malaysian students aged 25 and below who are enrolled in PTPTN-registered courses, have an active Simpan SSPN account, no outstanding loan arrears and at least one semester remaining in their studies.

Recipients will receive RM4,750 annually for Diploma studies, RM6,180 for Bachelor’s Degree (Arts) programmes and RM6,650 for Bachelor’s Degree (Science) programmes.

Norliza said students must first apply for a PTPTN loan through the myPTPTN web application. The loan will be approved first to ensure they can continue their studies, before being considered for the scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Successful applicants will be notified via email and the myPTPTN application. They must submit the offer documents at any PTPTN counter within 14 days of receiving the offer letter. Scholarship payments will be made every semester.

Among the recipients were Alin Nairien Wong Mohd Allif Wong, 20, and Muhammad Amar Khoo Arif Khoo, 21, who said the scholarship would ease their families’ financial burden and help them focus on their studies.

Alin Nairien, from Tanjung Sedili near Kota Tinggi and a Diploma in Event Management student at Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS), said she relies on the income of her mother and eldest brother following her father’s death in 2019.

“This scholarship eases the burden on my mother and brother. It also motivates me to study harder and make them proud one day,” she said.

Muhammad Amar, a Cyber Security degree student at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), expressed appreciation to the government and PTPTN, saying the scholarship would help reduce the financial burden on his father, who supports him and his two siblings.

The PTPTN BAeK scholarship presentation programme will continue in Melaka next week, with two recipients set to receive the award. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, June 13 — School administrators, district education offices (PPD), and state education departments (JPN) have been urged to take firm and immediate action as soon as they receive complaints of misconduct, particularly those involving sexual harassment of students.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said such cases must not be taken lightly or allowed to persist until they go viral before action is taken.

“When a child reports being sexually harassed, parents and teachers must take action. The matter must be reported to the authorities and investigated thoroughly.

“Follow-up measures must also be carried out, including ensuring the child receives protection from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and undergoes a health examination,” she told reporters here today.

She said this when asked to comment on allegations that action in a case involving a teacher and a student in Lawas, Sarawak, was only taken after the matter went viral on social media.

Fadhlina said all PPDs must remain vigilant regarding such cases and act in accordance with established procedures, including lodging reports with the police.

She also urged members of the public who have information about the sexual harassment of children to report it directly to the authorities rather than merely sharing it on social media.

Fadhlina said the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Safe School Management Guidelines and Student Protection Policy should serve as key references for all educational institutions under the ministry.

In a separate development, she said the MOE is still investigating a case involving a Year Six pupil in Perlis who allegedly suffered serious injuries as a result of bullying. The matter has also been referred to the authorities.

“We will not compromise on issues of bullying, and firm action will be taken against any party found to be involved.

“The allegations must be supported by a transparent and credible investigation. The authorities are currently conducting their investigation, while the ministry is also carrying out an internal probe,” she said.

Regarding an incident in which a discipline teacher was allegedly assaulted by a group of students while carrying out his duties, Fadhlina said teachers also have the right to protection under the law when exercising their authority and responsibilities. — Bernama