By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 18: Sarawakian workers who wish to pursue full-time undergraduate studies will have the opportunity to do so for free starting next year at State-owned institutions of higher learning, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari said this initiative is part of the government’s effort to promote lifelong learning and upskilling among the local workforce, particularly those who had to forgo higher education due to personal or family responsibilities.
“Sometimes there are workers who hold Diplomas but had to start working early due to family circumstances.
“For instance, when a father passes away, the eldest son may have to sacrifice and prioritise his responsibilities.
“But when the time comes and his younger siblings are already working, he can return to campus to resume his studies. This is part of our upskilling process,” he said during a press conference held after officiating the ‘Sambutan Hari Pekerja Tahun 2025 Peringkat Sarawak’ at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.
The Premier further explained that the initiative aligns with the State’s broader agenda of upgrading skills in response to emerging needs, including the digital revolution and artificial intelligence (AI).
However, he stressed that eligibility is strictly limited to individuals with the ‘K’ status, which refers to officially recognised Sarawak citizens, and that the degree programme must be full-time and conducted at a physical campus.
“The main requirement is having ‘K’ status. Apologies to those without it, but this initiative is strictly for workers with ‘K’ status, in line with our policy.
“This free education programme is only applicable to first-time full-time undergraduate studies at Sarawak-owned institutions. It is not limited to school leavers—anyone can apply,” he said.
He further clarified that the programme does not cover part-time or distance learning (PJJ), and that students must meet the academic entry requirements and be enrolled in a first-degree programme.
Abang Johari also took the opportunity to thank workers across Sarawak and acknowledged the role of employers, government-linked companies (GLCs), and unions such as the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for supporting labour reforms.
He highlighted the implementation of the newly amended Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO), harmonised with the Malaysian Employment Act and adapted to meet international standards under the International Labour Organization (ILO). The amendments came into force on May 1 this year.
The Premier said the State government is also streamlining the process for hiring foreign workers by introducing a digital platform through the Integrated Labour Market Unit (ILMU), which has reduced work permit application processing time from 190 days to just 60, with a target to shorten it further to 30 days.
“This platform allows data sharing across agencies and ensures efficient and transparent approval processes,” he said. — DayakDaily
