Responding to Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti) in the Dewan Rakyat, its minister, Annuar Musa, said Samsung was chosen as the provider after winning the contract through an open tender that was wrapped up last month.

The 350,000 gadgets will be distributed to the B40 group students in public and private universities, polytechnic and community colleges, teachers’ training colleges, the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara), and those undergoing matriculation courses.

Annuar also announced that the application for the programme has been extended to foundation students in public universities, vocational diploma students and Form 6 students in their first and second semesters.

These students can make their applications starting today until Sept 30, while an appeal process will be set up for unsuccessful applicants.

He said the gadgets have a two-year warranty and replacements will be given if they are damaged.

This comes after a two-month-long delay in the distribution of the devices after the finance ministry asked for the contract to be re-tendered in May.

The delay was criticised by several parties, notably former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching, as applicants were left in the dark about the status of their applications that were made in May.