Kuala lumpur: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, advised students receiving offers from MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) not to decline them solely due to financial hardship. He emphasized that MARA and MRSM have specific initiatives to support students from underprivileged families, including the BUDI MARA scheme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Asyraf Wajdi urged students not to reject MRSM offers due to poverty, assuring that the management is prepared to assist those in need. He highlighted the availability of the BUDI MARA assistance in a recent Facebook post.

Asyraf Wajdi shared a specific case of a low-income family in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, who were apprehensive about the initial schooling costs for their child following an offer to study at MRSM Jeli. The family's financial strain was exacerbated by the father's inability to work due to an accident, while the mother remains a homemaker caring for four children.

Upon learning about the family's predicament, Asyraf Wajdi, who is also the UMNO Secretary-General, contacted the Pasir Mas UMNO Division chief, Datuk Noor Hariri Mohamed Noor, to ensure the initial expenses were covered. He also committed to personally supporting the remaining costs with MARA's cooperation.

The BUDI MARA programme is specifically designed to aid eligible students, particularly from the B40 income group, in pursuing their education at MRSMs. The programme offers various facilities in line with MRSM's admissions policy, which mandates that at least 60 percent of students must come from the B40 demographic.