KOTA KINABALU, Jan. 11 -- Thousands of students across Sabah benefited from Gagasan Rakyat's back-to-school initiatives providing free haircuts and school supplies.

In Kota Kinabalu, the party's youth wing partnered VS13 at Centre Point, with chief Safwan Faisyal Diego saying the programme will continue throughout the school season following the donation of 900 pairs of school shoes to Pulau Gaya, with stationery planned next.

A visiting family from Kunak, who happened to come across the offer, brought all four of their sons, from preschool to Primary 6, for haircuts.

Father Samsu Tasakka said the free, higher-quality cuts saved money for other needs. Hair stylist Hafizuddin Sudirman, 22, said participating gave him a warm sense of pur...