RM3k laptop vouchers, RM1.2k special assistance among education aid for heli crash victims’ children

Yayasan Sarawak logo. Photo: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 20: Laptop vouchers worth RM3,000 each and the Special Financial Assistance worth RM1,200 are among the aid that will be provided by the Sarawak government through Yayasan Sarawak to the children of the victims of the helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, to ensure their educational future remains protected.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, assistance at the school level includes the Yayasan Sarawak Local Scholarship worth RM800 annually and school uniform assistance of RM200 per year.

Children of the victims who receive offers to study at fully residential schools or MARA Junior Science Colleges in Peninsular Malaysia may also benefit from the Yayasan Sarawak Student Exchange Programme.

At the tertiary level, the assistance offered includes the Domestic Scholarship Loan, the Yayasan Sarawak Full Scholarship, and Special Financial Assistance worth RM1,200 annually.

Other assistance includes a one-off laptop grant of RM3,000 and book voucher assistance worth RM300 annually.

In addition, children of victims who receive offers from any of the four Sarawak government-owned higher education institutions may also benefit from the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

However, all assistance is subject to the scope, eligibility requirements and rates approved by Yayasan Sarawak.

Yayasan Sarawak also expressed hope that the initiative would ease the financial burden on the affected families while ensuring their children’s education would not be disrupted by the tragedy.

The initiative was announced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Oct 16, who said that the assistance was part of the State’s commitment to support the bereaved families.

He said the sponsorships would help cover the children’s school fees and education expenses through university.

The helicopter crash occurred on Sept 8 near the end of the runway at the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing airport (STOLport) in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, claiming the lives of all five personnel on board.

The victims were identified as pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and staff nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44. — DayakDaily