KUCHING, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is prepared to provide scholarships to high school and university students from Cambodia, besides considering proposals for opening a direct Phnom Penh-Kuching flight route.
Cambodian Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions (Islamic Affairs) Oknha Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan said they are considering sending their students to further their education in fields like engineering, accounting and law.
"So far, no student from Cambodia has pursued further education in Sarawak because Cambodian students who received scholarships are all placed in Kuala Lumpur.
"We hope the Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) will support the intake of these students… the total number of students has yet to be determined,” he said after paying a courtesy call on the Sarawak Premier at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here today.
In August, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said a total of RM4.5 million in zakat funds had been allocated by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) to fully sponsor 100 Cambodian students at three educational institutions in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordination for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Hall and Islamic Affairs), said the International Islamic School in Sarawak, which is expected to be completed in 2027, would take in students from Regional Islamic Dakwah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP) member countries, including Cambodia.
"So, high school students from Phnom Penh will be invited to study at this international school because it will take into account the intake of students from RISEAP member countries,” he said.
He added that during the meeting with Abang Johari, Othsman also urged that Phnom Penh be included as one of AirBorneo's flight destinations when the airline company begins operations.
AirBorneo, previously known as MASwings, is currently owned by Sarawak as the state's first airline company.
-- BERNAMA
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