A total of 1.3 million pre-university and institutions of higher learning students nationwide can now apply for the 1Malaysia Book Voucher (BB1M) worth RM250 which will be debited to the 1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KADS1M).

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the new method of giving out aid would be coordinated by the Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry through its agency, Bank Rakyat.

"Through a study it was found that Bank Rakyat offered the best system and for this reason the bank was selected to supply the cards to the students," he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the Higher Education Minister Keeping In Touch programme with student leaders of public universities, private higher learning institutions, polytechnics and community colleges and later handed KADS1M to student representatives at Universiti Malaya here Tuesday.

Also present were his deputy Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching and KPDNKK secretary-general Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh. --Bernama