Papar MP Armizan Mohd Ali, who is also minister of domestic trade and cost of living, said the number was a projection based on the success of the programme last year.

“The initiative was introduced by the state government in 2024 after students complained about the high cost of home visits during festive seasons.

A total of 19,505 Sabah students pursuing their studies in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan benefitted from the programme last year through a subsidy of RM600 each, he said.

He said the number of recipients was increased to ensure more Sabah students can make home visits. He said the state government had also provided one-off aid of RM300 each to 22,649 students last year to help cover transport costs for festive visits.

Armizan represented the Sabah chief minister at a breaking of fast in Shah Alam this evening with 1,200 Sabahans studying in Peninsular Malaysia.