SITIAWAN: The Higher Education Ministry will exempt the tuition fees for the children of the victims of the Lumut air crash until the completion of their studies.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, said the proposal had received the approval of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that they will exempt the tuition fees for the daughter of Warrant Officer Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi, who is also a student at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), until she completes her studies.
"This is a child studying at a public university and so far we have only received information that only one child (the child of Mohd Shahrizan) is studying at UMK.
"However, if there are other children (victims) currently studying, please inform us and we will implement the same policy," he said after visiting Mohd Shahrizan's family at Taman Bunga Tanjong, here, tonight.
He said, besides that, they will also channel contributions in the form of National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN-i) accounts totaling RM1,000 to 21 identified children of the accident victims who are still in school.
"Then we will receive feedback from the Government for the next steps (related to the SSPN-i fund) in terms of the relevant fund (for) higher education. Children who are still in school certainly need savings for the future.
"I also believe that the Government, including the Ministry of Defence, may have plans (to assist the victims' children) so this fund facilitates the relevant parties in helping the children involved," he said.
Zambry said all these efforts are to ensure that all victims' children can continue their education and they do not want the children to face learning problems or difficulties in continuing their studies.
Mohd Shahrizan's eldest child, Nurul Shahfiqah, 21, is currently continuing her studies at UMK and is in her first year of study.
Mohd Shahrizan is among the three crew members of the Fennec aircraft involved in the accident with another TLDM aircraft, the HOM-AW139, which was carrying seven members.