Anwar: RM500 domestic flight aid for new students travelling between peninsula and Sabah, Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — The Malaysian government has introduced a one-time RM500 financial aid package for domestic flights, targeting students commencing their studies in September or October of this year. The initiative is aimed at 7,095 students who must traverse between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan for their academic pursuits.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed the aid during the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration held at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching. Anwar emphasized that this measure is part of the Federal Government's ongoing efforts to alleviate the financial strain on citizens, alongside other announcements such as enhancements to the BUDI Madani Diesel scheme and modifications to special grant entitlements for Sarawak.

Prior to this announcement, Anwar had also revealed an increase in Sarawak's interim special grant to RM1.5 billion, up from the previous RM600 million allocation. Anwar expressed the government's commitment to continuing discussions with the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak to establish a long-term, sustainable approach for determining the annual Special Grant rate.