KUALA LUMPUR: Public university students in Malaysia will now receive a RM300 subsidy to purchase flight tickets for domestic routes, which will not only alleviate the financial burden on their families but also facilitate easier trips back to their hometowns. Fatin Amirah Mohd Hisham, the student representative council president at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), stated that the subsidy provides much-needed relief for students who wish to return home during semester breaks. She further explained that many students from Sabah and Sarawak choose not to travel during breaks or festive seasons due to the high cost of airfares. Fatin shared, “These complaints have been brought up by my friends and have been conveyed to the student representative council. They have to work and save money every semester just to afford flight tickets. If they can’t raise enough funds, they won’t be able to make the trip back home.” As the semester break approaches, Fatin emphasized the importance of this one-time subsidy, despite its limited duration, to help ease the financial strain on students and their families. She acknowledged that allocating RM16.8 million for approximately 56,000 students is no small feat, but emphasized the significant impact this initiative would have in reducing the burden on students and their families. (Word count: 182)
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Starting from August 15, students will be able to enjoy the subsidy for domestic flights. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that participating airlines will issue a digital voucher worth RM300 to each eligible student to use when purchasing flight tickets for domestic routes from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan. Fatin Amirah suggested that the government refine the implementation process to minimize confusion and ensure that eligible students fully benefit from this initiative. She stated, “The government has finally recognized our long-standing grievances. I hope that this initiative will become a long-term solution.” Muhammad Harith Fauzan Mohd Faudzi, the president of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sabah Patriot Club, mentioned that while the subsidy may not cover the full price of a flight ticket in certain cases, it does provide students with some savings. He emphasized that students have been struggling to manage daily expenses while also setting aside money for their return home. Many part-time workers at UUM shops are students from Sabah and Sarawak who work specifically to fund their flight tickets, as the funds provided by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans are insufficient. Muhammad Harith Fauzan urged the government to reassess the subsidy distribution system for students who need to take multiple flights to reach their destinations. For example, some students may have to fly from Alor Setar, Kedah to Kuala Lumpur before catching another flight to their hometowns. Additionally, he proposed the creation of a special fund to help students expeditiously return home in the event of emergencies like the death of a close relative. – Bernama (Word count: 271)
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