KUCHING, Oct 9: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy chairman Senator Abun Sui Anyit has called on the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to roll out the free tertiary education initiative by next year.
He noted that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has recently announced that the GPS government may be able to fulfil its wish to provide free tertiary education to Sarawakians studying in State-owned institutions by 2026.
“I welcome this announcement but I prefer that the Sarawak government implement the said initiative this year or by next year.
“The Sarawak government does not have to wait until 2026 to give free tertiary education in universities; just include it in Budget 2024,” he said in a statement yesterday (Oct 8).
Abun Sui further said that if the implementation by this year or next year is not possible, the Sarawak government can provide scholarships to all Sarawakian students who are currently studying in any public tertiary institutions as a symbolic gesture and proof of its seriousness in realising the initiative.
“The government is able to implement it by setting aside a sum from the Sarawak reserve of nearly RM40 billion as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof recently,” he added. — DayakDaily
