Copter tragedy: Ministry to provide education aid to victims' children

PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has mobilised efforts to provide assistance to the families of the 10 victims in the naval helicopter collision in Lumut, Perak on Tuesday (April 23).

"The ministry expresses deep sorrow and extends its condolences to the families of the 10 navy officers involved following the tragic crash of two helicopters in Lumut," it said in a statement on Friday (April 25).

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Collaborating with various agencies under its purview, including Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (YPS), the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Holdings (UTM), the ministry announced assistance aimed at alleviating the burden faced by the victims’ families.

Among the initiatives are channelling RM1,000 each to the children of the victims who were still schooling through a National Education Savings Scheme account (SSPN-i).

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The statement also added that the 21 children of the victims who were still schooling had been identified.

Additionally, the ministry would also provide full funding for Nurul Shahfiqah Mohd Shahrizan's tuition fees until she completed her studies in the entrepreneurship programme at UMK, under the INITIAL programme 2.0.

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"Cash donations will be distributed to the heirs of each of the 10 families involved.

"The ministry is prepared to provide any necessary assistance and support to the victims' heirs, especially in their pursuit of higher education in the country.

"May all family members remain resilient and patient during these challenging times," the statement read.