PETRONAS is increasing two categories of allowances for its 2,267 sponsored students with immediate effect, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

According to the prime minister, the first category was for books and study materials increasing from RM1,000 to RM1,500 for students in Malaysia, and an additional RM500 for students abroad.

He said the second category was students in the Petronas education sponsorship programme (PESP), where the onboarding allowance would be increased from RM4,500 to RM5,000.

“The increase in these two allowances takes into account the rising cost of living and this assistance is hoped will ease the burden on students and their parents, as well as further facilitate the students’ learning process.

“It is hoped that this sponsorship will encourage students to excel in the pursuit of their dreams and return home with success,” he said in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ismail said the PESP programme had produced a professional and skilled workforce, in line with the target of Malaysia becoming a high-income developed nation.

This year, a total of 600 students, which is the highest so far, were offered PESP sponsorship, costing more than RM340 million.

Meanwhile, Ismail said education would continue to be the government’s main agenda by emphasising extracurricular development, innovation and academic achievement.

He said the government also viewed seriously the number of students in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which is currently at 47%, compared with pure science (19%), as it prepares for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0).

The prime minister said the people should ensure that the country does not lag behind in STEM subjects to ensure it remains sustainable and competitive globally.

He said Petronas is one of the strong supporters of the government’s efforts to strengthen this field as an enabler for strengthening the country’s socioeconomics through primary school, the technical and vocational education and training programme and the vocational institution sponsorship and training assistance programme. – Bernama, September 20, 2022.