Sarawak’s free tertiary education initiative will not include Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak as both institutions fall under federal jurisdiction and operate within national governance frameworks, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
He explained that the state government must respect the autonomy of federally administered universities, whose academic and financial decisions are determined by their respective senates and guided by federal policies.
“Unimas and UiTM are federal institutions. We cannot interfere because it may contradict policies in Peninsular Malaysia. Their governance is under the university senate, so it is difficult for us to intervene,” he said when speaking at the Sarawak Premier’s Special Award (AKPS) 2025 ceremony at the Satria Pertiwi Complex, Kuching recently.
Abang Johari said the situation differs for state-owned higher learning institutions, where Sarawak has the authority to extend free education and introduce financial support schemes. In line with this, the state will continue providing RM1,200 in pocket money for all Sarawakian students.
He added that special assistance is also available for postgraduate medical students, given Sarawak’s pressing need to increase its pool of medical professionals. Support is likewise extended to students pursuing emerging and specialised fields such as finance, carbon trading and other sectors linked to the state’s evolving economic landscape.
The premier stressed that the state’s development agenda must move beyond physical infrastructure to focus on cultivating a knowledgeable and innovative generation.
“Sarawak’s development is not only about roads, bridges like Kemena and Lupar, or even grand buildings. The real task is to develop a generation of Sarawakians with knowledge. This is the foundation for all other development,” he said.
Abang Johari also reiterated his concerns over automatic promotion policies without examinations, cautioning that such practices may weaken students’ grasp of core subjects.
“If students are not tested, they may struggle to write essays because now everything is objective questions that encourage guessing. We must have exams so we know our level,” he said.
The ceremony saw 12 recipients honoured for outstanding achievements in the 2024 Assessment Year, including schools, educators, students, education officers and Parent-Teacher Associations.
Among those present were Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, his deputy Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin.
– EDUCATION TVET ASIA