By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 19: The full implementation of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) beginning in 2026, alongside formal recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as an accepted entry qualification, marked a major breakthrough in Sarawak’s education history and a bold demonstration of a government committed to taking responsibility for the welfare and future of Sarawakian children.
Federation of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions Chinese Associations and Simanggang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Dr Ngu Piew Seng expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as a “transformational, future-shaping institutional reform” that reflects a people-centric governance philosophy and long-term investment in human capital.
“Ngu highlighted that the FTES will especially benefit students from B40 households and rural families, removing economic barriers that have long prevented capable students from pursuing higher education.
“By including UEC graduates who meet Bahasa Malaysia and SPM-related requirements, Sarawak also affirms its respect for educational diversity and genuine commitment to educational equity,” he said in a statement today.
He commended Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for his vision and political courage in introducing the policy, noting that Sarawak is now the first region in the area to implement free higher education.
Ngu noted that the FTES goes beyond providing free education with the initial offering of 64 academic programmes, aligned with key future sectors such as robotics, cybersecurity, renewable energy, medicine, and finance, aims to strategically cultivate talent capable of driving economic transformation and enhancing regional competitiveness.
“Having natural resources alone does not secure the future. Free higher education nurtures engineers, scientists, doctors, legal and financial professionals, converting resources into sustainable intellectual capital that underpins Sarawak’s new economy and future industries,” he said.
On the scheme’s sustainability, Ngu praised the Sarawak government’s fiscal planning, noting the allocation of RM250 million starting in 2026 and assurances of continuous annual funding as evidence of a well-planned, long-term institutional policy.
He also echoed the Premier’s call for students to strengthen their multilingual skills and global outlook, encouraging them to return to Sarawak after their studies and contribute to the State’s growth and vision of becoming an ‘ASEAN Star’.
“Unlike past promises that remained rhetorical, this policy is a comprehensive, long-term solution. Free higher education is not welfare populism; it is an investment in Sarawak’s future. Today, the government bears the cost; tomorrow, graduates will repay Sarawak with knowledge, innovation, and productivity,” he added.
Ngu expressed confidence that FTES will unlock Sarawak’s full human potential, urging all eligible students to seize the opportunity, excel in their studies, and work together to build a better Sarawak.
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
