Labuan: The government will continue to implement programmes and initiatives that directly benefit the people of Labuan, ensuring the island is not left behind in development and public welfare efforts. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh emphasized that Labuan, as part of the Federal Territories, will receive attention in the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of the people and addressing issues affecting their daily lives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yeoh stated that Labuan should not be sidelined from initiatives and facilities enjoyed in Putrajaya, stressing that programmes that benefit the people on the island would continue. 'Whatever Putrajaya is enjoying, Labuan should not be left behind. Programmes that benefit the people of Labuan will continue,' she said during the launch of the School Student Transportation Facility Initiative at SMK (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan) Lajau.

Yeoh highlighted that the newly introduced transportation initiative reflects the government's approach of identifying problems on the ground and implementing practical measures to address them. Monitoring conducted by the Federal Territories Department at SMK Lajau in July indicated student attendance as an issue requiring attention, prompting the Labuan Education Department to conduct a broader assessment.

The assessment revealed that 1,885 students in Labuan had been recorded as absent from school for various reasons, with 989 students from 25 schools facing transportation difficulties. Yeoh explained that the issue affected students from diverse family backgrounds, including those from poor and hardcore poor households, as well as other income groups.

She emphasized that transportation to school is not solely an issue involving a particular income group but rather about ensuring a child has consistent access to education. 'When we already know what the problem is, the government's responsibility cannot stop at recording the figures. We have to do something,' she stated.

Initially, the initiative will involve 437 students from six schools: SMK Mutiara, SMK Lajau, SMK Pantai, SMK Labuan, SK Bebuloh, and SMK Taman Perumahan Bedaun. A total of 22 buses will be deployed under the programme from September to December this year, with the government allocating RM174,800 for its implementation. Eligible students will receive transportation assistance of up to RM100 per month, depending on their travelling requirements.

Yeoh mentioned that the programme would be implemented in phases, with other schools to be included once their Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) complete the necessary financial documentation in accordance with stipulated guidelines. The initiative would be closely monitored to determine its impact on school attendance, particularly among the 437 students in the initial phase.

The government aims for an overall school attendance rate of at least 90 per cent, with attendance records and the utilisation of the transportation service monitored by the Education Department, schools, and PTAs. 'Whenever the government spends public funds, we must be able to answer one question -- does the expenditure actually solve the people's problem? For this programme, the measurement is simple: are more children able to come to school?' Yeoh remarked.

Yeoh also acknowledged the efforts of teachers and school administrators who had previously used their own vehicles to transport students, highlighting their commitment. However, she noted that systemic problems require government intervention for a sustainable solution.

She underscored that mini buses participating in the initiative must be properly registered and licensed, and operators must ensure students' safe transport. Yeoh asserted that transportation should never be a barrier to education, regardless of a child's location or financial circumstances. 'Before we talk about aspirations, we must first make sure that our children can get to school. An address or a family's financial means should not determine how far a child can go in life,' she concluded.