KUALA LUMPUR: The Unity Government will continue the implementation of the initiative to provide subsidised air ticket purchase assistance (FLYsiswa) for public university, polytechnic, and community college students under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), as well as matriculation colleges and teacher education institutes (IPG) under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) for domestic routes between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan,

The move is in line with the announcement made Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2024 Speech on Oct 13, 2023, regarding the distribution of cash assistance.

According to the Transport Minsitry, this initiative will resume starting on May 2, 2024.

"Eligible students can check their eligibility through the Transport Ministry website (https://subsidiudara.mot.gov.my/). After verification, students can apply for subsidised air ticket purchase assistance from any one airline, namely Malaysia Airlines (including MASwings and FireFly), AirAsia, or Batik Air through the respective airline's website," the ministry said in a statement today.

If students are found ineligible, they can check and appeal to the Ministry of Higher Education or the Education Ministry through their respective educational institutions.

"At present, eligible students are only those who are still registered at public universities, polytechnics, community colleges, matriculation colleges, and teacher education institutes until Dec 31, 2023, for the first phase. Meanwhile, new students for the intake session from Jan 1 to March 31, 2024, will be included in the second phase starting July 2024," it said.

Upon receiving the application, the airlines will issue a digital voucher worth RM300 to students as a credit shell for purchasing flight tickets. If the ticket price purchased is less than RM300, the remaining balance of the digital voucher will remain in the credit shell and can be used for subsequent ticket purchases.

The voucher application period for flight ticket purchases is from May 2, 2024, to Nov 30, 2024. The voucher can be redeemed for flight ticket purchases until Dec 31, 2024. Flight ticket purchases for travel after the voucher redemption deadline are allowed.

This assistance is one of the Unity Government's initiatives to strengthen relations between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, Sarawak, as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan, while addressing the cost of living issues in line with the aspirations of a Civilised Malaysia.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1045562/subsidised-air-tickets-tertiary-students-under-flysiswa