Flight ticket subsidy a boon for the burdened, say varsity student reps


KUALA LUMPUR: The RM300 subsidy initiative for public university students to buy flight tickets for domestic routes not only eases the financial burden on their families but also makes it easier for return trips to their hometowns.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) student representative council president Fatin Amirah Mohd Hisham said to some extent, the subsidy provided relief for students who want to return home during semester breaks, adding that many from Sabah and Sarawak chose not to go home during such breaks or festive seasons owing to high airfares.

"These complaints are from my friends and... were also conveyed to the student representative council.

"They (students) have to work and raise money every semester just to buy tickets.

"If it is not enough, then they will not return home," she said in a recent interview.

Even though the subsidy was just a one-time payment, she said it was much needed by students seeing as the semester break is coming up.

"We understand that it is not easy for the government to spend the RM16.8mil (Which will) benefit... more than 56,000 students.

"However, such initiatives... can ease the burden on students and their families," she said.

ALSO READ: Over 56,000 public uni students to benefit from flight vouchers for local travel, says Transport Minister

The subsidy for domestic flights will begin on Aug 15.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Wednesday (July 12) that participating airlines would issue a digital voucher worth RM300 to each eligible student to redeem when buying flight tickets for domestic routes from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

Fatin Amirah suggested that the government should fine-tune the implementation and reduce confusion over the process so that eligible students will not miss out on the benefit.

"The government... has heard our grievances that have been brought up for a long time. I hope this initiative will be (for the long term)," she added.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sabah Patriot Club president Muhammad Harith Fauzan Mohd Faudzi said although the subsidy could not cover the full price of a flight ticket in some instances, it does allow students some savings.

He said students have been struggling to cover daily expenses without having to raise money to buy flight tickets to return home.

"At UUM shops, many of the (part-time) workers are students from Sabah and Sarawak.

"They (are working) to raise money to buy tickets as money provided under PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) loans is not enough," he said.

Muhammad Harith Fauzan said the government should examine the subsidy distribution mechanism for students who need to take more than one flight to reach their destination.

For example, some may have fly from Alor Setar, Kedah to Kuala Lumpur where they will then board another flight to their hometown.

The government should also create a special fund to help students return home quickly in the event of an emergency such as a close relative's death, he added. – Bernama

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Students , Subsidy , Flight Tickets , Initiative , Savings

   

Next In Nation

Plans to amend Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act underway, says Saifuddin
Appeals Court dismisses man’s appeal to claim RM29,000 in unpaid salary from company
Lawmaker sheds tears in Parliament, calls fellow MPs to be empathetic
More than 20 elderly folks abandoned outside NGO in Penang
Overbearing ‘joke’ identified as possible motive in UPNM bullying case, says KL top cop
Sabah cops seek two individuals involved in brutal dog killing
Beauty entrepreneur fined RM4,600 for peeping, recording
Leave door open for advice, says Hadi
UTeM achieved 97% graduate employability in 2023, says vice-chancellor
Malaysia is considering including nuclear energy in 13MP

Others Also Read