By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 19: The Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is the greatest gift to Sarawakians and the wisest long-term investment ever made by the Sarawak government, political pundit Dato Peter Minos said, describing the initiative as a transformative policy that secures the State’s future through education.
He said while Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Sarawak government have implemented numerous beneficial policies for the State, FTES stands out as the most significant and far-reaching.
“Truly great and momentous. Truly wise. Best for Sarawak and for the people and their future. FTES is definitely your greatest and best gift to all Sarawakians. We are most grateful and gratified,”he said in a statement, expressing deep gratitude to the Premier and the State government for introducing the scheme.
Minos, who is also Serian District Council chairman, said the value of FTES lies in its ability to shape a better future for current and future generations, noting that nothing surpasses the impact of a good university education provided free by the government.
“For those struggling financially, FTES is almost God-sent,” he said, adding that the scheme removes a major barrier to higher education and ensures that no capable Sarawakian is left behind due to financial constraints.
He stressed that Sarawak’s long-term prosperity depends on an educated population equipped with skills and expertise, which form the foundation of social and economic advancement alongside peace, stability and social harmony.
“Educated people mean good skills and expertise, the very foundation of our progress,” he said, adding that FTES would open up a new world of better knowledge, better jobs and better incomes for those who are able and willing to pursue higher education.
Drawing from personal experience, Minos said education has been a proven pathway out of poverty, especially for those from rural backgrounds.
“Many of us who came from poor rural areas are enjoying a better life today because of education. Government scholarships in the 1960s opened doors and opportunities for us, and FTES will do the same for today’s generation,” he said.
Minos also noted that Sarawak has emerged as a national leader by pioneering FTES, positioning itself at the forefront of human capital development in Malaysia.
“With the skills, expertise and modern knowledge, particularly in English and STEM, made accessible through FTES, Sarawak will definitely become the most progressive and most advanced region in Malaysia,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the impact of the scheme would be evident by 2050 or even earlier, fostering pride and confidence among Sarawakians.
“We can feel it even right now. We do not wish to over-compliment our Premier, but in all honesty, implementing FTES is the very best and most excellent thing he has done for all Sarawakians,” he said, adding that it was only fair to acknowledge the significance of the policy.
The FTES was launched by Abang Johari on Thursday (Dec 18) with the first batch of 4,693 existing university students set to continue their studies with tuition fees fully borne by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government beginning 2026.
The beneficiaries include students currently in Year Two to Year Four, as well as Unified Examination Certification (UEC) holders, enrolled at Sarawak-owned universities of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and i-CATS University College. — DayakDaily
