Over 1,000 Kelantan Students In Middle East Safe, Continuing Studies

KOTA BHARU, April 8 (Bernama) -- More than 1,000 students from Kelantan currently pursuing their studies in the Middle East are safe and continuing their education as usual despite the conflict in the region, says State Education, Higher Education, Green Technology, Digital and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Wan Roslan Wan Hamat.

He said the state government remained in constant contact with the embassies to ensure the students’ safety.

“We have also advised them always to follow and comply with all instructions issued by the embassies.

“More than 200 Kelantan students are studying in Jordan, while over 800 are in Egypt. So far, classes are proceeding as usual, and all students are complying well with the instructions issued,” he told reporters after the state executive council meeting at the Kota Darul Naim Complex here today.

He also advised parents to stay in touch with the embassies and welfare officers on duty in the region to obtain the latest updates.

Wan Roslan said the state government had no plans to bring the students home for now, as the situation remained under control.

“We hope that this crisis and conflict will end soon so that students can continue their studies smoothly,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said applications for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 Student Excellence Award would be open from April 9 to April 19, 2026.

He said eligible students could obtain application forms at the Kelantan Islamic Foundation office or through its official website.

“This initiative is not merely about providing rewards, but also a symbol of encouragement and motivation for the younger generation to continue striving for academic excellence.

“The state government believes that investment in education is the foundation for the development of the ‘ummah’ (Muslim community) and a more progressive and competitive state,” he said.

Elaborating further, Wan Roslan said a total of 1,200 students from SPM, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) qualified for RM500 contributions last year, and the number is expected to increase this year, including those from rural areas, with the total allocation estimated not to exceed RM1 million.

-- BERNAMA