KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has asked the Ministry of Higher Education to coordinate with universities to consider providing free flight tickets to students from families in the bottom 40% income group (B40) who are studying outside their home districts.

The Umno president said he had communicated the matter to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir for consideration.

“I have instructed the menteris besar of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak, as well as the Melaka chief minister (Umno-led state governments), to provide free tickets to B40 students from their respective states studying in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Zahid said this in his winding-up speech at the 2026 Umno general assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here on Saturday.

On Friday, Sabah delegate Azuwan Marjan@Norjan raised concerns about high airfares, which he said are burdening B40 students from Sabah and Sarawak.

Umno's general assembly concluded on Saturday after a four-day gathering.

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