KUCHING: The Sarawak government will assist Sarawakian students in tertiary institutions to purchase textbooks and other equipment, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

       The Premier said the assistance would be announced in the state budget to be tabled in the upcoming Sarawak legislative assembly meeting.

       "In our budget for next year, we are considering the assistance we should give our students in public and private universities.

       "I know there are many things they need to have which are quite costly, so we are considering ways to help them," he told reporters after opening Bank Negara's Financial LATeracy exhibition at Borneo Cultures Museum on Thursday (Nov 9).

       The exhibition, which will run until May next year, features drawings by renowned cartoonist Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, better known as Lat.

       Abang Johari said the state government would also provide assistance to buy textbooks.

       "There will be other assistance that I will announce in the budget," he said.

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       He added that the number of Sarawakian students in tertiary institutions was estimated to be 5,000 annually.

       "These are the students we want to help, especially those from B40 families," he said.

       When asked what other goodies could be expected, Abang Johari said to wait for the state budget.

       "It's going to be tabled soon. Today, I'm giving hints only," he said.

       Abang Johari, also state Finance and New Economy Minister, will table the budget during the state assembly meeting from Nov 20 to 29.

       In his speech earlier, the Premier said he would announce assistance for Sarawakian students in two weeks.

       "Students nowadays need laptops, but laptops are expensive for those from B40 families.

       "That's a hint. Soon, I will announce in detail measures to assist our students.

       "As the state's revenue has increased, we want to give back to the people," he said.