SAKURA: UDA Channels RM240,000 In Zakat Wakalah To 1,200 Students

GEORGE TOWN, May 19 (Bernama) -- UDA Holdings Berhad has channelled RM240,000 in zakat wakalah contributions to benefit 1,200 asnaf students under the Sinar Kasih UDA Cares-Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (SAKURA) Programme.

In a joint statement today, the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and UDA said the contribution was credited directly into Simpan Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) Prime accounts of public university, polytechnic and community college students, with each recipient receiving RM200.

“The programme is a continuation of the strategic collaboration between the two organisations since 2024, reflecting a shared aspiration to strengthen the country’s higher education agenda while also fostering a culture of saving and financial planning for education among the community,” the statement said.

The contribution handover ceremony was held at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday and was officiated by PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim.

Norliza expressed hope that the contribution would help ease students’ financial burden while encouraging them to remain focused on their studies.

She said the programme reflected the strong synergy between PTPTN and UDA in strengthening the country’s higher education agenda, as well as nurturing a caring and savings culture among the community.

“A heartfelt appreciation and thanks to UDA for its contribution and concern, and I call on the support and cooperation of all government and private agencies to jointly cultivate a savings culture in this country,” she said.

Meanwhile, UDA chief executive officer Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuaad Kenali expressed hope that the SAKURA programme would support more balanced human development and help produce a competitive and resilient future generation.

Simpan SSPN provides a range of benefits, such as income tax relief of up to RM8,000 annually on savings, free takaful protection for depositors, a Matching Grant of up to RM10,000 for eligible families, competitive dividend rates, and government-guaranteed, syariah-compliant savings.

The government, under Budget 2025, has agreed to expand the Matching Grant eligibility for savings in Simpan SSPN Prime accounts for students at higher education institutions, extending coverage to families with incomes of RM4,000 to RM6,000 for two years under the Ihsan Matching Grant Initiative (GAPAI), with a grant value of up to RM5,000 per family.

-- BERNAMA