Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has urged students who receive offers to study at MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) not to turn them down solely because of financial difficulties.
He said MARA and MRSM have dedicated mechanisms to support students from low-income families, including assistance under the BUDI MARA programme.
“Please do not reject an MRSM offer just because of poverty. I have instructed MARA and MRSM management to assist students who need help. BUDI MARA assistance is also available,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Asyraf Wajdi highlighted the case of a family from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, who were anxious about meeting the initial schooling expenses for their child. The student’s father is unable to work following an accident, while the mother, a homemaker, is caring for four children.
Despite receiving an offer to enrol at MRSM Jeli, the family was considering declining it due to concerns over both initial and ongoing costs.
Upon learning of the situation, Asyraf Wajdi, who is also Umno secretary-general, said he immediately contacted Pasir Mas Umno division chief Datuk Noor Hariri Mohamed Noor to help cover the student’s initial expenses. He also pledged to personally assist with the remaining costs in collaboration with MARA.
The BUDI MARA programme is designed to support eligible students, particularly those from the B40 income group, who are pursuing their studies at MRSMs. The initiative aligns with MRSM’s admissions policy, which requires at least 60 per cent of students to come from B40 households.
