IN the spirit of Deepavali, 56 Indian students from B40 families pursuing higher education received laptops and financial assistance under the Siswa Bagan 2026 programme.
Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan, who presented the laptops at Dewan Dato’ Haji Ahmad Badawi, said each recipient received a laptop worth RM2,300 and financial assistance of RM500.
He said the initiative aimed to ease their families’ financial burden, encourage them to pursue higher education and improve their future prospects, while inspiring them to contribute to the Bagan community.
“No matter which community or ethnicity, education will help that community prosper.
“When you are already working and earning a good salary, help our community again,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of providing students with proper learning resources, noting that some were still relying on smartphones to complete their academic assignments because they did not have laptops.
“For students pursuing higher education, it is extremely difficult to complete assignments without a proper laptop. I have learned that many students are still relying on smartphones to complete their coursework.
“How can our children study effectively or complete their assignments properly under such circumstances?” he said.
Kumaran expressed hope that the programme could continue in the future, subject to sufficient funding. He also thanked Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng for supporting the students and recognising the role of education in developing the community.
“Once you have studied well and secured a good position, do whatever you can to contribute to our community.
“If we don’t lend a helping hand to our own community, we have no right to criticise others. We must take the initiative ourselves,” he said.
Lim said funding from the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) had enabled the programme to provide laptops to the 56 students in the Bagan parliamentary constituency.
“As a Member of Parliament, I received an allocation of RM150,000 from Mitra, which enabled me to purchase the 56 laptops,” he said.
Lim also emphasised the importance of students developing a sound understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and learning to use the technology responsibly as they prepare for future challenges and opportunities.
“AI helps us a lot, but it is dangerous too. If you don’t master AI, AI will master you,” he said.
Lim further encouraged the students to return to their home state and contribute to the development of their community.
“You can work elsewhere, no problem, but you must come back to your home state. You must come back to Bagan because we will make Bagan better for you in terms of job opportunities and living conditions to raise your family,” he said.
Bagan Jermal assemblyman Chee Yeeh Keen, who was also present, stressed that education should remain a priority regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.
“No matter how much we are unable to afford it or how poor we are, we must not compromise on education,” he said.
Also present were Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Linggeswaran Charmar and St Mark’s School chairman and Bagan DAP Parliamentary Liaison Committee (PLC) treasurer Dr Chong Tuck Fah, among others.
Story and pix by Ammar Mikhail Aamer