This applies to Sabahans in public and private higher education institutions in the state.

Chief minister Hajiji Noor said this came in light of a request made directly by the students, Bernama reported.

Speaking at an event in Sembulan, he cited the example of students from Tawau and Sandakan studying at higher education institutions in Kota Kinabalu.

They will be eligible for this subsidy, which will cover the cost of the plane tickets, bus fares or other forms of transportation, he added.

Hajiji said the state government wanted to create a large pool of talented people who can help develop Sabah.

The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman said details on the subsidy, including the number of recipients, are currently being studied.

He also noted that a one-off subsidy of RM600 was given during Ramadan this year to Sabahan students studying at public and private higher education institutions in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan.

This was to help them return to their hometowns during the festive season or semester breaks.