By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 4: The proposal to send Sarawakian youth to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom for military studies, along with the revival of the historic Sarawak Rangers unit, is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the State’s overall security landscape.
Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Snowdan Lawan said the first initiative was announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the 8th anniversary dinner of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) on Tuesday (July 2).
“Our Premier has come up with a fantastic idea that we might grant scholarships for our eligible and determined youth to pursue military studies at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
“This idea is so realistic and well within our reach and capabilities,” he said in a statement today.
Snowdan strongly supports the proposal, citing Sarawak’s vast physical landscape and the increasing demand for security across land, borders, coastal areas, cyberspace and scattered rural populations.
He added that establishing such scholarships would not only equip Sarawakian youth with military and security expertise, but also cultivate future leaders in fields such as commercial crime, surveillance, and global security challenges.
He noted that the Sarawak government has already taken bold steps to enhance its security infrastructure, including the establishment of the Sarawak Coastal Guard and UKPS—both initiated by the Premier.
“Now that we have the infrastructure, it is only right that we develop the personnel and leadership to operate and sustain it.
“Within our diverse populace, we are not short of talent. Glory should be our next destination—and Sandhurst is the journey,” he stressed.
Separately, Federal Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi recently proposed the revival of the Sarawak Rangers—a respected 19th-century security corps—as a specialised unit to safeguard Sarawak’s interior and border areas.
Commenting on this, Snowdan said the spirit of bravery that once defined the elite unit is still alive among many Sarawakians and should be reawakened for the greater good.
“I also agree with Nanta’s view that the revival of the Sarawak Rangers would complement the existing Malaysian Army forces, not compete with them,” he added. – DayakDaily
