Activist urges clarity on eligibility for RM1,200 annual BKK for Sarawakian students
KUCHING (May 8): The Sarawak government should clarify whether household income will affect the eligibility for the state's Special Financial Assistance (BKK), said social activist Voon Shiak Ni.
She commended the initiative as a 'people-friendly' measure aimed at supporting all Sarawakian students, whether they are studying at public or private institutions, where under BKK, eligible students can receive RM1,200 annually until the completion of their degree.
'However, some parents have raised concerns after noticing a section in the application form requiring a declaration of household income, and this has led to uncertainty over whether or not income levels may influence the approval of applications.
'We would like to seek clarification if all university students with Sarawakian status are eligible for this financial benefit under the scheme, regardless of the household income of the parents,' she said in a statement.
Voon also noted that Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee previously stated the BKK scheme is expected to benefit around 60,000 Sarawakian students and to qualify, applicants must also have an active S Pay Global account.
She also appealed to the state government to ensure that future financial assistance schemes are inclusive of the middle-income group (M40), which she said was frequently overlooked in aid distribution.
'The M40 group also faces increasing financial pressure amid rising cost of living, and is not spared from the hardships of tightening their purse strings. They too deserve to be considered in welfare programmes,' she said.
She also expressed her gratitude for the government's efforts in improving the people's standard of living, and reiterated her hopes that the BKK scheme would be implemented fairly and inclusively. BKK education aid lead Voon Shiak Ni
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