By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Nov 24: Sarawak has set aside RM665 million under the 2026 Budget for education and talent development, with key allocations continuing for free laptops, PTPTN loan repayment discounts, and i-GPS flight subsidies to support Sarawakian students.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Free Laptop Programme will continue next year with an allocation of RM30.5 million to equip first-year Diploma and Degree students with essential devices for their studies.
“Complementing this, RM2 million will be allocated under this Budget for the Book Voucher Programme, enabling students to acquire textbooks and other critical academic materials necessary for their success,” said Abang Johari when delivering the Sarawak Budget 2026 speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
He added that Sarawak remains the only state in Malaysia offering a State-funded National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayment discount. To sustain this initiative, Abang Johari said that RM15 million will be set aside for 2026.
“To date, approximately RM117 million has been disbursed, directly benefiting about 33 thousand Sarawakian PTPTN borrowers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the i-GPS (Graduan Pulang Sarawak) initiative will continue providing flight ticket subsidies for Sarawakian students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Labuan. Eligible students may claim up to RM300 per trip, twice a year.
According to Abang Johari, since its implementation till now, RM35 million has been disbursed to subsidise around 117 thousand return trips. To sustain the programme, RM8 million has been allocated for next year.
Other education-related allocations include RM20 million for the Sarawak Education Enhancement Programme (SEEP), which provides free tuition and customised learning resources to over 63,000 students; RM60 million in special assistance for university students; and RM20 million for the Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS) graduate training programme.
Under Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), RM96.2 million will support the operational expenditure of Sarawak Skills, i-CATS University College, Centre for Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) campuses and Kolej Laila Taib, alongside RM18 million for development works.
Additional allocations include RM4.5 million for NextGen TVET programmes and RM18 million to strengthen the State’s semiconductor ecosystem through SMD Semiconductor.
Sarawak will also proceed with the Sarawak Talent Development Policy and Blueprint, with RM1 million allocated for its completion in 2026.
“In total, a sum of RM665 million will be provided for education and talent development initiatives in 2026, reflecting our continued resolve to transform Sarawak education sector for the advancement of our current and future generation,” said Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
