Yayasan Sarawak deputy director Watson Chunggat Leonard Doo (left) chatting with students at the My University, My Choice programme in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The pocket money initiative for Sarawakian students in tertiary institutions in Malaysia is likely to be implemented in April.
Yayasan Sarawak deputy director Watson Chunggat Leonard Doo said the mechanism for disbursing the pocket money was still being finalised.
"It will most probably start in April this year but the mechanism is not ready.
"Once it is ready, we will have a roadshow and the initiative will kick off after that," he told reporters after launching Yayasan Sarawak's My University, My Choice programme here on Friday (Feb 7).
Last November, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said all Sarawakian students in higher learning institutions throughout Malaysia would receive RM1,200 pocket money from the state government.
He said the special financial assistance would be introduced in the 2025 state budget for students to buy food and essential goods to mitigate their cost of living.
According to the state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry's website, the pocket money initiative is for Sarawakian students pursuing a diploma or bachelor's degree in Malaysia, who will receive RM1,200 annually in two phases via the SPay e-wallet.
The website added that the online application system for the initiative is under development and expected to be launched in April.
Meanwhile, Watson said the My University, My Choice programme aimed to encourage students to pursue tertiary or technical education in state-owned institutions.
He said the programme also provided information on the financial assistance and services provided by Yayasan Sarawak, including scholarships and a free one-month English enhancement programme at any state-owned institution.
The institutions are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, Kolej Laila Taib and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.
