KOTA KINABALU: Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has given assurance that he will provide assistance to Arnie Jaliusih, who achieved outstanding results in the recent STPM examinations.
"I have personally spoken to her and will assist her to the best of my ability. She deserves all the support.
"Scoring 4-flat (in her STPM examination) is no easy feat. She excelled despite the many challenges she had to face, coming from a family that is lacking in many ways," he told the New Straits Times.
The 20-year-old former SMK Tun Fuad Stephens student from Sinansag Kiulu in Tamparuli has gone viral since Thursday.
Netizens were touched by the story of her father Jaliusih Madakol borrowing RM120 from other villagers to hire a car to attend the STPM result announcement.
The 63-year-old Jaliusih, who is a rubber tapper, had also said that the family might seek financial assistance from relatives when Arnie pursues her studies to become a teacher.
"I will personally meet her soon. During the phone conversation, Arnie has said that she has applied for a place at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris," he said.
Following New Straits Times' report, many have tried to approach Arnie and her family to help them pay off the loan.
Some even suggested the Sabah government, and other government bodies to offer her a scholarship so that it would alleviate the financial constraints faced by Arnie's family.
Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat vice president Henry Saimpon said given Arnie's remarkable achievement; she should be given special consideration for receiving a scholarship.
"I deeply sympathise and am shocked when I read news reports about the hardships of Arnie's family, to the extent that they had to borrow money from villagers to attend the appreciation ceremony.
"For me, this outstanding student from Kampung Sinasag Kiulu deserves assistance, and there may be many more students in similar situations who need support," he was quoted in local news.
A corporate company, in an email, had also described Jaliusih's story as a testament to the human spirit and sacrifices parents make to support their children's education.
"This individual's narrative has deeply moved us and prompted an immediate desire to respond."