Kuala lumpur: The Kelantan government has allocated RM747,000 as excellence incentives for 1,494 students who achieved outstanding results in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations. Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud announced that each student received RM500 as a token of appreciation from the state government for their academic excellence.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the number of top-performing students rose this year from 1,300 last year, indicating an upward trend in the state's educational performance. "Education remains a top priority for the state government, which is why we are committed to a large allocation to ensure educational development, including schools under the Kelantan Islamic Foundation (YIK), continues to be empowered," Mohd Nassuruddin said. He made these remarks after presenting the 2025 Examination Excellence Awards at the Kota Darulnaim Complex.
Mohd Nassuruddin further mentioned that, besides the excellence incentives, the state government provides education loans through the Kelantan Darulnaim Foundation (YAKIN) for Kelantanese children pursuing higher education. These loans are to be converted into scholarships if students achieve excellent results at university. During the event, Siti Maisarah Yahya Lotfi, a student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato' Biji Wangsa, Tumpat, received a special award after being named the National-Level Best Overall STPM 2025 Student.
Meanwhile, addressing the land ownership issue involving settlers in the South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR) area in Gua Musang, Mohd Nassuruddin stated that the state government has directed the Kelantan Forestry Department and the state Land and Mines Office (PTG) to thoroughly review the matter. An immediate investigation is deemed necessary to ascertain the actual facts before any decision is made regarding claims that the land ownership status was allegedly changed to a forest reserve. The media previously reported that over 100 settlers at the KESEDAR Chalil Land Development Scheme (RKT) in Gua Musang expressed disappointment when the land they had cultivated for nearly 20 years was seized because it fell within a forest reserve area.