Budget 2025: Corporate Sector Urged To Provide University Scholarships

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The government has called on the corporate sector to be philantropic and active in providing education scholarships up to university level, especially for low and middle income groups.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would allow such expenses to be eligible for tax deductions.

"Regarding facilities for Malaysians to continue their education to the tertiary level, a total allocation of RM4 billion is provided in the form of scholarships, loans and education allowances.

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"Government-linked investment companies (GLIC) and government-linked companies (GLC) are also committed to ensuring that at least 50 per cent of scholarships are earmarked for students from low and middle-income families," he said when presenting the Third MADANI Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to Anwar, the Higher Education Ministry is allocated RM18 billion next year compared to RM16.3 billion this year.

Besides, Anwar said the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) provided an education fund amounting to RM500 million specifically to give priority to students studying in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) at Public Institutions of Higher Education (IPTA). 

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To encourage higher education savings, Anwar said the government proposed that individual tax relief on net savings in the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) be extended for another three years.

"Under the Ikhtiar Ihsan Matching Grant Initiative (GAPAI), the government also agreed to expand the criteria for granting a matching grant of up to RM5,000 on savings in the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account of students who continue their studies at higher education institutions to families with an income of up to RM6,000 compared to RM4,000, for a period of two years.

-- BERNAMA