KUALA LUMPUR: Applications for Phase 2 of the Peranti Siswa tablets for B40 students starting their tertiary education will open on Aug 1.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the Peranti Siswa Programme, which was first announced last year, would now be expanded to also include students enrolling at Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG) and matriculation colleges.
Previously, only students enrolling in public and private higher education institutions were allowed to apply for the device.
"For phase two, those who come from B40 families with a household income of under RM4,850 a month are eligible to apply for the Peranti Siswa tablets online.
"The devices are expected to be distributed in October once applications close on Sept 30," he said in a press conference in Parliament today.
He said in the first round, the ministry had received 100,000 applications for the tablets, and successful applicants would get their devices next month.
"The distribution date is being discussed with the higher learning institutions."
Annuar had previously said the Peranti Siswa tablets would be distributed in June.
He explained that the delay was because the Finance Ministry, as the authoritative body, had told the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to reopen the tender for a second time.
"We had called for an open tender the first time, but after the Finance Ministry's review, they told us to make some changes.
"They will make a decision on the tender within a week, as this is under their jurisdiction."