Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal says he would write off the student loans of ‘Anak Sabah’ once the state becomes financially strong under his leadership. 

Shafie said the plan would cover both Yayasan Sabah study loans and National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) debts.

“If Sabah has sufficient funds, I will provide free scholarships for our children to enter university.  I will also write off all study loans owed to Yayasan Sabah by government officers, whether serving or retired.” 

“Graduates who are working but still burdened by PTPTN debt, who struggle to pay rent or even afford a car, I will settle their loans. The money will be reserved for Anak Sabah,” he said in his speech at the STPM Excellence Drive and Smart TV Donation Ceremony in Semporna on Saturday.

Shafie framed the proposal as part of a wider move to ensure that the state’s resources directly benefit its people, as well as part of the party’s manifesto to be implemented if it secures power in the forthcoming state election. 

He noted this will be implemented when he strengthen the finances of Yayasan Sabah.

No Malaysian state has ever fully written off PTPTN loans, although Sarawak introduced a partial repayment scheme in 2021 that cleared 30% of eligible debts.

Shafie said Warisan would also fund full scholarships for Sabahans entering university once the state’s finances are secure, describing it as an investment for the future. 

He said the scholarships would target key disciplines such as from engineering to medicine to equip local youths for real jobs instead of leaving them with debt.

Shafie wants handphone ban in polling stations 

In another development, Shafie wants handphones banned in polling stations to combat vote-buying, warning that the devices have become a tool for election cheats.

The former chief minister said he would raise the proposal in Parliament, claiming that voters were being paid in cash and asked to show photographic proof of their votes.

“I will raise in Parliament next week that handphones should not be allowed in polling stations. 

“Before voting, voters are given RM300 or RM500. After leaving, they show a photo of their ballot to get another RM500. This is vote buying, and it must not happen,” he said. 

Shafie said curbing vote-buying is key to restoring public confidence, particularly among young voters who have grown cynical about politics.

“Many young people today lack confidence in politics. The political culture we show as leaders often erodes the trust of future voters.”

He stressed that Warisan wants a clean and fair contest, saying he would rather win or lose honestly than compromise integrity.

“There must be no electoral fraud this time.

We must conduct a clean election. If we win, it must be through a clean process; if we lose, it must also be through a clean process,” he said. – August 2, 2025