Shah alam: The Sabah government is targeting 35,000 of its students studying at higher learning institutions nationwide to benefit from the Graduan Rindu Sabah Subsidi Tiket Penerbangan (GRS/SUBFLY) assistance, following the Federal Government's support for the implementation of the initiative. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced this initiative, which is based on the previous year's success in alleviating travel costs for students returning to their home state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the GRS/SUBFLY initiative was introduced by the Sabah government in 2024 in response to students' concerns about flight ticket costs, particularly during festive seasons. Last year, in collaboration with the Transport Ministry, the initiative was implemented, assisting 19,505 Sabah students in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan with a subsidy of RM600 each, totalling an expenditure of RM11.7 million.

Minister Armizan emphasized that increasing the number of recipients this year aims to ensure more Sabah students can return to their hometowns without the burden of high flight costs. In addition to the GRS/SUBFLY initiative, the Sabah government allocated RM6.79 million for the Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Sabah (Sentosa), a one-off cash assistance program. This initiative provided RM300 to 22,649 students last year to help cover transportation costs during festive seasons.

Armizan stated that these efforts reflect the state government's commitment to the welfare of Sabah students, ensuring their financial burdens are eased. Earlier, representing the Sabah Chief Minister, Armizan attended a Breaking of Fast event at the Setia City Convention Centre with 1,200 Sabah students from 31 higher learning institutions in Peninsular Malaysia.