By Mei Kuan
The state government allocated a total of RM200,000 to reduce the burden of undergraduates affected by the pandemic, especially those from B40 families. The one-off allocation involves an aid presentation of RM150 to each eligible undergraduate who fulfilled the fixed criteria.
The presentation of the special aid to the affected undergraduates was conducted at the foyer of the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building today (December 29) with the presence of Menteri Besar Dato’ Saarani Mohamad as guest of honour.
From the total of 7,613 students who registered via an online survey form in October, 1,200 applicants were identified to be eligible for the aid. The online survey was conducted by the Perak Youth Aspiration Centre (PASAK) in collaboration with Perak Student Consultation Council (MPMP) and Association of Peninsular Malaysia Students (GPMS) to obtain further details of affected Perakean students.
The first phase of payment which began on December 18 would benefit 551 students, while the second phase set to begin in January will benefit 649 students via online transaction. The recipients of the first phase payments were made up of diploma and degree students from public or private higher institutions.
Among the major criteria for the channeling of aid is to be an undergraduate with household income below the poverty line and is affected by the delayed enrollment in October.
“The state government understands the difficulties faced by Perakean undergraduates in the pandemic. Thus, the implemented effort is hoped to lessen the burden of their cost of living and cover the additional needs such as purchase of internet data, webinar application, reference material and other academic needs,” Saarani explained during the media conference.
Present were Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Daud, Executive Councillor for Education, Higher Education and Human Resources and Razman Zakaria, Executive Councillor for Farming, Agriculture and Food Industry.
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