MARA chairman Asyraf Wajdi advises students not to decline MRSM offers due to poverty, highlighting available aid like the BUDI MARA scheme.
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (pic) has advised students not to decline offers from MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) solely due to financial hardship.
He said MARA and MRSM have specific initiatives to help students from underprivileged families continue their education.
“Please do not reject an MRSM offer solely due to poverty. I have already instructed MARA and MRSM management to assist those in need. BUDI MARA assistance is also available,” he said in a Facebook post.
Asyraf Wajdi shared the case of a low-income family in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, who were worried about covering initial schooling costs for their child.
The student’s father can no longer work following an accident, while the mother is a homemaker with four children to support.
He explained that the student had received an offer to study at MRSM Jeli, but the family considered turning it down due to expense concerns.
Asyraf Wajdi, who is also UMNO Secretary-General, said he contacted the Pasir Mas UMNO Division chief to cover the initial expenses.
He also pledged to personally support the remaining costs in cooperation with MARA.
The BUDI MARA programme is an initiative designed to aid eligible students, particularly those from the B40 income group.
It provides various facilities, aligning with the MRSM admissions policy which stipulates at least 60% of students must be from the B40 demographic.
