Annuar said the choice of brand and supplier for the devices was in the final stages of negotiations, which were being handled by the finance ministry.

“I expect that the matter will be finalised by next week,” he said at a press conference, while giving an assurance that the devices for university students from the B40 group will be “premium” products and not low-end tablets.

“I told the secretary-general (of his ministry) that I don’t want lousy or cheap devices, but the best in the market.

“I guarantee that if the devices do not cost four figures, we will not be purchasing them,” he said.

Applications for the PerantiSiswa programme will open tomorrow, with about 400,000 students in higher education institutions set to benefit from it.

Annuar said the full cost of the programme will only be known after Putrajaya decides on the tender, but maintained that it will not exceed the ceiling that has been set.

He said the first batch of students will receive their devices in June while appeals would be open for 60 days after that.

“We are preparing this initiative for students without being too rigid. The ministry will ensure that this programme will be open and flexible so that it can benefit students nationwide,” he said.