Latest news with #RM136mil
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah begins offering scholarships for foundation, matriculation and A-level students
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) will now offer scholarships to students pursuing foundation, matriculation and A-level studies beginning this year, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "Apart from that, the scholarship allowance for all sponsored students currently studying in public and private universities will also be standardised," he said. He said the initiative was part of BKNS's ongoing commitment to support the development of education in the state to ensure that more promising students gain access to higher education. Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Monday (July 21), Hajiji said this year, the State Government has allocated the highest amount for scholarships compared to previous years. "From only RM50mil in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136mil in 2025. "This marks an increase of RM86mil from 2019, reflecting the state government's commitment to supporting the education of Sabah's children," he added. Hajiji said that the state government had made significant investments to implement various initiatives to develop education in the state, benefiting 13,550 students from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, he noted that the Sabah Foundation Group's commitment was evident, with an allocation of RM67.17mil for the education sector last year, benefiting 3,234 students. "It represented a significant increase of 148.96% compared to only RM26.98mil in 2020, he said, adding that some 10,104 recipients benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) that he had launched in June 2022, involving a total expenditure of RM15.8mil. The Chief Minister also disclosed that under the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) Zakat and Fitrah division, more than 48,000 students across Sabah have benefited over the past five years, with a total expenditure of RM92.4mil. Hajiji said the initiative will help to improve the education standards of Sabah's children and support the development of quality human capital. "We will continue to ensure that the people's well-being is always protected and given due attention, regardless of their background. "We want them to explore professional fields such as oil, gas and energy, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as artificial intelligence (AI), to produce highly skilled and quality individuals from Sabah across various sectors," he added.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
Sabah allocates RM136mil in scholarships this year
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has allocated RM136mil in scholarships this year, RM50mil more than in 2020, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'I hope students will make good use of whatever funding they receive from the government and work hard to achieve academic excellence and to excel in their respective fields of study,' he said in his speech, which Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif read. His speech was delivered during the aid distribution for local university students under the Sentosa initiative at a ceremony held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) near here on Sunday (July 20). He said 4,170 students are expected to benefit from the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) this year. At the event, RM300 one-off aid was given to 600 students, including 319 from UMS and 323 from the Sabah Mahsa College. Hajiji, who is UMS pro-chancellor, said this year, the state government had allocated RM77.5mil to implement 13 education-related initiatives.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Markets potential for tourism as cultural landmarks
Nga (right) with Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim during the competition prize-giving ceremony. HOUSING and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has allocated more than RM136mil to transform public markets nationwide into cultural landmarks and tourism hotspots. The announcement came during the second edition of Subang Jaya Car-Free Day (HTKSJ) 2025, held in Seri Kembangan, where Minister Nga Kor Ming officiated the prize-giving ceremony of the Design Idea Competition (DIC) for the redevelopment of Pasar Awam SK10, Seri Kembangan. He added that all new markets and those undergoing upgrades above RM10mil would be required to hold similar design competitions. The design competition for Pasar Awam SK10 in Selangor, set to undergo redevelopment estimated at RM12mil, was a joint effort between Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM). It attracted 91 designs from local architecture firms. This competition used a comprehensive evaluation method, with 90% assessed by professional jurors. The remaining 10% comprised community representatives, including Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki, city councillors, MBSJ department heads and representatives from SK10 Market Traders Association. The competition also accepted international entries to ensure the best ideas were considered. Moa Architects Sdn Bhd took home the top prize of RM50,000, followed by Ky Loh Architect with RM30,000 in second place. Spatial Factor Architects received RM15,000 for third placing, while seven other firms were given consolation prizes of RM5,000 each. The winning firms would be appointed as consultants, while the city council would retain design copyright. 'This initiative empowers local professionals, strengthens public-private sector collaboration and ensures that the redevelopment of public markets aligns with the needs of both the community and the industry,' said Nga. The Local Government Department (JKT), in collaboration with PAM, will run the design competition for eight other public market projects. They are Pasar Taman Muda in Ampang, Pasar Kajang and Pasar Kekal at the Pasar Sungai Long site in Cheras – all three in Selangor, Pasar Borong Gong Pauh in Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu), Pasar Besar Kuala Pilah (Negri Sembilan), Pasar Besar Kuala Krai (Kelantan), Pasar Besar Ipoh (Perak) and Pasar Besar Melaka Sentral in Melaka. On another matter, Nga said local councils would be categorised under performance-based 'traffic light' policy regarding federal funding. 'Councils ranked with a red light due to poor performance might have their allocations pulled. 'Those in yellow due to unsatisfactory (performance) will be reviewed. 'And those in green will be eligible for increased allocations,' he said.
