Melaka invests RM196m in education to power future state growth

ALOR GAJAH - The Melaka state government has allocated over RM196 million to education over the past three years as an investment to support the state's continued development over the next 10 to 20 years.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the allocation had funded various initiatives benefiting more than 140,000 students across the state.

"We provide free tuition, school preparation assistance for B40 students and an additional RM15 million through the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) Education Assistance under the Melaka State Education Trust Fund (TAPEM).

"We also organise sports competitions that involve substantial allocations, particularly for students in the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency,” he said in his speech at the Student Excellence Motivation Programme and Schooling Assistance Presentation by the MARA Education Foundation at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sultan Alauddin in Masjid Tanah here today.

Also present were State Public Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer and MARA Education Foundation chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said.

At the event, the foundation presented RM10,000 in cash assistance to 100 students from asnaf and B40 families.

Ab Rauf said Melaka's performance in public examinations, including the KAFA Class Assessment Test (UPKK), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), has continued to improve through the combined efforts of the Melaka State Education Department and schools.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka UMNO liaison committee chairman, said the party remains open to cooperation with any political party ahead of the state election expected this year, provided it benefits both sides.

"We are open and prepared to work with any party, not only PAS, that can offer the best political returns for Melaka UMNO,” he said. - BERNAMA