Public-Private Cooperation For Access to Education

Non-Government Organisations in Sabah continues to journey with students to gain access to quality education. The Tuaran District Hakka Association became another shining example in fund raising efforts for education. “Every contribution brings hope to the younger generation,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said at the Tuaran District Hakka Association Education Fundraising Dinner on 2nd October 2026 at Hakka Hall, Tanjung Lipat, Kota Kinabalu.

“Organisations such as the Tuaran District Hakka Association play an important role because, apart from preserving the identity and culture of its own community, it serves as a bridge connecting people from diverse backgrounds.” The association has completed the construction of a new building and a mini museum in Tuaran town, and it will hold an official opening ceremony in November 2026.

“The establishment of the Hakka Mini Museum is a good initiative to preserve the history and culture of the Hakka community,” Hajiji said. “The new building and the museum will be put to good use for members, and it will be a good symbol to strengthen ties with the local community and other organisations.” Education is the foundation of the development of any community, Hajiji said. Investment in education is part of human capital development for our younger generation and the future of Sabah, the CM added.

Human capital development is among the State Government’s key priorities under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. The Sabah State Government Scholarship (Biasiswa Kerajaan Negeri Sabah or BKNS) has allocated RM155 million in 2026 in scholarship funding, a significant increase from RM50 million in 2020.

Between 2021 and 2025, the government has rolled out 14 education-related initiatives, including the Higher Education Institution Enrollment Cash Assistance (Bantuan Tunai Pendaftaran IPT or BUDI), Computer Assistance Programme (Bantuan Ihsan Komputer or BAIK); Examination Special Cash Assistance (Bantuan Khas Tunai Peperiksaan or BAKTI); Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (SUBFLY) for students in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan; and contribution for Higher Education Students Studying in Sabah (Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Sabah or SENTOSA).