KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Sabah (YS) was set up in 1966 by Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun to uplift the lives of Sabahans, said the founder’s son, Datu Badaruddin Tun Mustapha.
It was also supposed to complement and supplement government’s efforts in raising the standard of living of Sabahans, especially those who are hardcore poor and desperate, said the pro tem president of Usno.
Badaruddin said United Borneo Alliance (UBA) would put in place a system to manage Yayasan Sabah in a transparent, professional and efficient manner.
“When this is done I am sure the positive result will astonish the people,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“Subsequently, we will be able to offer more scholarships and financial assistance to the people of this great state of Sabah and once again make this state the richest in the country,” he added.
“When UBA comes to power, I, as the son of the founder of Yayasan Sabah, pledge to turn the YS student loans into scholarships for those who graduated successfully and have worked in any capacity in Sabah. This is to ensure that this facility is not abused and the students are genuine in contributing to the state.
“This is in view of the current PTPTN controversy where students are protesting the BN government’s apparent crackdown on students with PTPTN loan,” he said.
“I believe these student loan holders are mostly from poor background and worked very hard to attain their academic success. Their work in Sabah has also contributed immensely to the state’s development irrespective of whether they work for the government or the private sector.
“I, therefore, feel very strongly that they deserve this small write-off. I am confident my late father would have approved the plan,” said Badaruddin.