SENTOSA 2026 Initiative Benefits 30,000 Higher Education Students in the State

5 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government continues to reinforce its dedication to human capital development through the implementation of 14 educational assistance programmes, amounting to a total of RM210.25 million over the past five years, benefiting numerous students across Sabah.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor stated that, to date, these initiatives have supported 90,296 higher education students, 184,911 school pupils, 1,500 schools—including religious schools—and 57 Sabah student associations in higher education institutions, alongside the delivery of 362 educational programmes.

He announced that for this year alone, the state government has allocated RM100 million for the Sabah State Government Scholarship, which is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 students.

“This substantial allocation demonstrates the government’s capability and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Sabah’s people through education, recognising it as a long-term investment,” he said during the launch of the Domestic Higher Education Student Contribution Assistance Initiative (SENTOSA) 2026 at Dewan Rafflesia, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, on Thursday.

During the event, 3,366 Sabah students at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic received SENTOSA assistance in cash.

Hajiji explained that the assistance was established as a reflection of the government’s concern for the welfare of Sabah students striving to acquire knowledge for their own future, their families, and the state.

He added that the aid is also intended to ease the financial burden on students, particularly to enable them to return to their hometowns during festive seasons.

“This year, it is projected that 30,000 Sabah students enrolled in higher education institutions within the state will benefit from SENTOSA,” he said.

Hajiji reaffirmed that the state government will continue all 14 education initiatives this year, including the One-Off Higher Education Registration Cash Assistance (BUDI), Computer Assistance Initiative (BAIK), Special Examination Cash Assistance (BAKTI), State Education Savings Assistance (BISTARI), PIBG Activity Assistance (BAGUS), Sabah School Assistance (BISBAH), School Minor Maintenance Assistance (BALKIS), and the Special Education Programme Assistance (BANTU).

Additional programmes to be sustained include the Sabah Education Excellence Awards (AKSA), Sabah Malaysia Student Secretariat (SEMESTA), Sabah Graduate Returns Home Assistance and Sabah Student Flight Ticket Subsidy (GRS-SUBFLY), SENTOSA, the One-Off School Activities Contribution (SUKSES), and the new MUET Registration Fee Assistance (BAYU).

He mentioned that these initiatives encompass funding and facilities for various purposes, such as higher education registration, educational programmes, and digital and infrastructural support, aligning with the agenda of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Hajiji emphasised that while education is under federal jurisdiction, the state government remains proactive in fostering ongoing cooperation to ensure fair and equitable access to education for all levels of society in Sabah.

He also highlighted that these efforts are in line with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Roadmap for 2026–2030, which serves as the state’s strategic plan to enhance competitiveness and productivity in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

“Students are the future leaders. Focus on learning and training because knowledge is the key to advancing the state and the nation.

“Make full use of the ticket subsidies, cash assistance, and zakat provided by the government, while also staying informed about every development agenda implemented by the state government, including infrastructure development for water, roads, and electricity,” he concluded.