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The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is evaluating a proposal to broaden the scope of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) free education initiative
This expansion aims to include underprivileged students enrolled in private higher education institutions, particularly those attending universities owned by state governments, according to the Malay Mail.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said internal ministerial discussions are underway to ensure the Anak eKasih Scholarship reaches a wider demographic
He noted that while state-owned universities are technically classified as private entities, many of their students do not come from high-income backgrounds. He said the ministry intends to adopt a more inclusive framework to prevent these students from being overlooked because of their universities' institutional status.
"The minister has emphasised that we cannot ignore the reality of these students' financial situations," Adam said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara on Tuesday, 3 March.
He added that while the government is committed to this inclusive approach, the expansion must be balanced against the nation's current fiscal position.
Current public expenditure remains substantial; however, the ministry remains dedicated to exploring avenues to support eligible private university students in the near future.
The proposal arose following an inquiry by Senator Datuk Prof Emeritus Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman regarding the potential for government aid to reach state-linked private institutions
Beyond the scope of expansion, the ministry is also focusing on the integrity of its current distribution mechanisms.
In response to Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani, Adam Adli clarified the stringent monitoring processes used to manage the free education initiative for 10,000 underprivileged individuals.
To ensure that government funds are distributed equitably, recipients are strictly prohibited from holding multiple study sponsorships concurrently
This policy prevents the duplication of aid and ensures that the assistance reaches the maximum number of genuine applicants. Every application undergoes a rigorous cross-referencing process — matching data against the eKasih database and records from other major sponsoring agencies — before any scholarship is granted.
The government has also tightened its screening procedures to maintain transparency. Should any recipient be found in breach of terms or discovered to have submitted fraudulent documentation, their sponsorship will be terminated immediately.
