Melaka: 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 stated that the allocation had funded various initiatives benefiting more than 140,000 students across the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government provides free tuition and school preparation assistance for B40 students, and has contributed an additional RM15 million through the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) Education Assistance under the Melaka State Education Trust Fund (TAPEM). The initiatives also include organizing sports competitions with substantial allocations, particularly for students in the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency.
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, Ab Rauf highlighted the importance of these educational investments. 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. During the event, the foundation presented RM10,000 in cash assistance to 100 students from asnaf and B40 families.
Ab Rauf noted that 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 improved through the combined efforts of the Melaka State Education Department and schools.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka UMNO liaison committee chairman, mentioned the party's openness to cooperating with any political party ahead of the expected state election this year, as long as 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.