Educational Aid Program Benefits Underprivileged Students

(Kuching, 19th) The educational opportunities for children from underprivileged families in Sarawak have seen significant improvement, as 1,500 students from low-income backgrounds have received assistance through the "2026 Back to School Wakalah Zakat Programme". This initiative is spearheaded by BAKIP Sarawak, the Sarawak division of the PETRONAS Islamic Welfare Institution.
The event was held at the SABATI Building Hall, reflecting the authorities’ targeted efforts to help students cope with the financial peak at the beginning of the school year, ensuring that economic factors do not impede their education.
The programme was officiated by Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 & State–Federal Relations) and state assembly member for Samarahan, demonstrating the state government’s strong commitment to enhancing educational outcomes through cross-sector cooperation.
Each beneficiary student received a RM300 educational zakat assistance (Wakalah Zakat Education Aid, Dana Asyakirin 2), to cover basic expenses like uniforms, books, and study materials.

The total allocation for this programme is RM450,000, equally distributed among Kuching, Bintulu, and Miri, with 500 students in each region benefiting.
The project is implemented with close cooperation from the Education Departments of Kuching, Bintulu, and Miri Districts, ensuring that aid is delivered precisely to the students most in need.
For greater accountability and good governance, the aid funds are disbursed through Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) accounts, guaranteeing transparent and regulated use of zakat funds for educational purposes.
In addition to immediate relief, the programme is designed to increase attendance, sustain learning motivation, and reduce the risk of school dropouts among children from disadvantaged families. By easing the economic strain at the start of the school year, the initiative supports long-term academic continuity and social mobility.
The programme also highlights PETRONAS’s ongoing commitment to community development, recognizing education as a crucial pathway out of poverty.
Through BAKIP Sarawak, PETRONAS continues to strengthen its collaborations with educational institutions to build a more inclusive and resilient educational ecosystem in Sarawak.
The organizers expressed their hope to expand such programs in the future, ensuring no child is left behind due to financial difficulties, thereby contributing to the state’s long-term human capital development goals.
36-year-old housewife Siti Nurashikin Ahmad Kamaludin Shah expressed hope that this assistance would motivate her 11-year-old son, Muammar Hazim Fikri Safrie—a student at SK Merpati Jepang—to study even harder.

She said: “Thanks be to Allah, Muammar is able to receive this aid. I hope he will perform better academically, and the funds will go towards his study needs. This is the first time the school has selected him for such an award.”
39-year-old self-employed Mohd Ishaq Iskandar hopes that such programmes will continue to be implemented to help less fortunate families in the state.
This father of three, who accompanied his 10-year-old son Mohd Lukman Hakim—a student of SK Bandar Semariang—to the event, said: “Thank you PETRONAS, this aid eases the burden of parents and guardians. We hope similar initiatives will continue to help more underprivileged families. We want our children to strive in their studies and realise the educational development vision outlined by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.”
Meanwhile, 60-year-old Sapiah Mat Nor, who accompanied her 12-year-old granddaughter Hidayah Nur Fatihah, a student at SK Semerah Padi, expressed gratitude to PETRONAS and said the assistance effectively eased the family’s financial burden.

She said: “This is truly meaningful aid, and it motivates my granddaughter as well. I hope she continues to study hard.” Sapiah has been caring for her granddaughter since she was young.
On the event day, about 150 students from 11 schools in the Kuching area attended to receive their aid. Participating schools included: SK Merpati Jepang, SK Combined, SK Semerah Padi, SMK Semerah Padi, SK Green Road, SMK Green Road, SK Rakyat, SMK St Joseph, SMK Bandar Samariang, SK Bandar Semariang, and SK Semariang.
Other attendees included: PETRONAS Sarawak Head of Strategic Relations and Communications, Anuar Ismail; Sarawak Education Department (Education Sector) Assistant Director Ramona Hamden; Kuching District Education Officer Majelan Sulong; as well as PETRONAS Sarawak General Manager and BAKIP Patron Norazibah Mohd Rabu.