Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has clarified that financial assistance for Palestinian students in Malaysia is entirely funded through public and corporate donations, with no government funds involved.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim stated that the aid is channelled through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP), which is administered by the Foreign Ministry. The assistance was established following the Cabinet's decision on November 24, 2023. Adam Adli emphasized that this initiative does not involve government funding but is supported by donations from the public and corporate sector. The Foreign Ministry manages these funds to ensure transparent collection and distribution.
During a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, Adam Adli responded to a question from Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) about the rationale for providing aid to foreign students while local B40 students are still in need. He noted that contributors to the fund include the Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah, Johor Islamic Religious Council, Yayasan Al-Bukhary, Malaysian Relief Agency, and several foundations under higher education institutions (IPTs).
Adam Adli explained that the fund is a special, one-off initiative. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 375 Palestinian students actively enrolled in Malaysian IPTs have received assistance amounting to RM4.3 million, which covers tuition fees and living expenses. The disbursement follows guidelines set by MOHE, specifically the Assistance Guidelines and Terms for the Provision of Living Allowances to Palestinian students at public universities.
He further clarified that the fund is a special initiative aimed at easing the burden of students directly affected by the conflict and does not represent full government sponsorship for all Palestinian students in public universities. The government is committed to ensuring that all approved assistance is disbursed transparently, with accountability, and guided by humanitarian principles, aligning with Malaysia's commitment to global justice.