At UiTM forum, PM Anwar says will consider ways to assist students further

SHAH ALAM, April 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today pledged to evaluate suggestions to alleviate students’ financial burdens after such concerns were raised during a dialogue session at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM) here.

Among others, he said this would include the request for him to expand the initiative to give RM200 in e-wallet credits to Malaysian youths aged 18 to 20, which was announced during Budget 2023.

“Regarding the e-wallet, I will decide so that it can benefit all university students,” he said, after one attendee said at many university-goers were above the age of 20 but needed similar financial assistance.

However, Anwar did not provide elaborate on the possible expansion.

Anwar also said that he will speak to Transport Minister Anthony Loke about possibly subsidising air fares, especially for students travelling between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak during their years of education.

He then said he would discuss with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil about improving internet connectivity at university campuses, but also did not elaborate.

Anwar said poor broadband connectivity was not only an issue at university campuses, and that he had experienced difficulty connecting to his cellular network when visiting parts of Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, where he was previously the elected federal lawmaker.

“That was in PD (Port Dickson), now imagine how it is in Manek Urai, or Kapit,” he said.

Manik Urai is a locality in Kelantan, while Kapit is in Sarawak.