{
  "id": 13334847,
  "title": "2027 Budget: RM19.1bil allocation to improve student welfare, campus facilities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/2027-budget-rm19-1bil-allocation-to-improve-student-welfare-campus",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T05:19:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1552280/2027-budget-rm191bil-allocation-improve-student-welfare-campus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government has allocated nearly RM500 million in the 2027 Budget to improve student welfare and campus facilities. This is part of a RM19.1 billion allocation for the Higher Education Ministry, marking a 2.7 per cent increase from the previous year's RM18.6 billion. The additional funds will be utilized for upgrading lecture rooms, residential colleges, and replacing obsolete equipment at public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges.\n\nHigher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the 2.7 per cent increase in funding. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to creating a more comfortable, safe, and conducive environment for students across national-level institutions. To address student housing shortages, Zambry highlighted several ongoing and planned construction projects at various universities, with some already underway and others awaiting approval. This proactive approach aims to fully resolve accommodation issues faced by students nationwide.\n\nPrime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the government's collaboration with GLICs to accelerate student housing projects, including a RM750 million investment through the Vista Kampus project. This initiative involves constructing student residences across six universities, including UniSZA and UiTM. Additionally, Phase 1 of the Universiti Malaya Student Residence is set for completion in 2031, benefitting an estimated 10,000 students at the institution.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The additional allocation of nearly RM500 million for the Higher Education Ministry under the 2027 Budget will be used to enhance student welfare, particularly in constructing and upgrading residential colleges at public higher education institutions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Abang Johari Appreciates RM16.2 Bln Allocation For Sarawak In Budget 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/general-abang-johari-appreciates-rm16-2-bln-allocation-for-sarawak-in",
        "published": "2026-10-10T02:18:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Abang Johari appreciates RM16.2b allocation for Sarawak in Budget 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/abang-johari-appreciates-rm16-2b-allocation-for-sarawak-in-budget-2027",
        "published": "2026-10-10T04:46:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}