By Shikin Louis & Amanda L
KUCHING, Jan 31: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today declared his love for the students at Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) Kuching, saying they are the State’s future leaders and global competitors.
He had earlier witnessed a powerful musical choir and ensemble by the school’s Performing Arts and Culture Club (PACC) Music and Vocal Unit, as well as a traditional dance performance by the school’s dance club.
During the session, two local students were given the opportunity to serve as emcees, introducing the welcoming performances.
“To all of you, I love you. You are the future. I watched your band, your emcees, your choir — already of world standard.
“Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn and I are old. The most we can go is 80 years, but those who will succeed us must have the foresight to compete globally. And you are those people,” he said at the school’s opening ceremony at Mile 12, Jalan Kuching-Serian.
Abang Johari highlighted Sarawak’s shift to an advanced economy, saying the State is blessed with resources not found elsewhere.
“The new economy will depend on your command in renewable energy, in semiconductors, and in your ability to create new things that the world needs. That is the new economy,” he added.
He also praised the school’s use of digital boards, noting students’ serious engagement with science lessons.
Meanwhile, Sagah, in his speech, said YSISS Kuching currently has 318 students in Years 7, 8 and 9, supported by 32 academic teachers and 19 non-academic staff.
“Our Year 7 students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in English as a Second Language, Global Perspectives, and Geography.
“Year 8 students maintained a 100 per cent pass rate in ESL and Art and Design, with an impressive 95 per cent in Science,” he shared.
Beyond academics, YSISS Kuching students have also excelled nationally and internationally. Highlights include Hasfyliyana Hajrol, named Best Presenter for her work on the Solar-powered Automatic Drying Arm at the 8th Technology and Innovation International Conference (TECHON 2025); Valerie Chuo Yu Ern and Ashton Jembu Hillyard, who reached the finals of the RERO: Micro Coding Competition; and Boyce Ng Goe, Rynn Avisthra Amber and Naomi Celeste Timas Marcos, who won a silver medal at the Young Innovators Challenge 2025: AI for Social Good.
Students also shone in sports and strategy, with Immanuel Thomas winning the SEDC Rapid Chess Competition 2025, Emmanuel Prince taking first place in the Merentas Desa cross-country race, and Aiedid Danial securing gold in the MSSB Kuching Long Jump.
Sagah also emphasised the school’s facilities that support future-ready learning, including 20 Smartboard classrooms, six science laboratories, and free laptops for B40 students to reduce reliance on textbooks and enable multimedia learning.
Also present were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Ministry of Education, Yayasan Sarawak International Education Sdn Bhd’s Board of Directors chairman Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, Federal Secretary of Sarawak Dato Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin, Yayasan Sarawak International Education Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Noranne Adam Assim and YSISS Kuching principal Jimali Sunang. – DayakDaily
