by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 2: Sarawak students with an interest in military defence studies may soon have the opportunity to pursue their education at one of the world’s most prestigious military academies; the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
According to a report by TVS, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the State government plans to establish a special scholarship programme for promising young Sarawakians in the fields of defence and leadership.
“We will send students to Sandhurst in the UK to undergo training, provided that Sandhurst can accept them, because they (Sandhurst) also have certain acceptance requirements. We will send them because it is closely related to our work,” he said during the launch of the Sarawak Command Net (SCNet), held in conjunction with the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), last night.
This initiative is in line with the Sarawak Government’s efforts to build local talents who are disciplined, trained and capable of contributing to the State’s security defence.
“Therefore, for young students, we can request the British Government to allow Sandhurst to accept our students, at least they will be trained with high discipline and acquire new security theories,” he said.
Abang Johari emphasised that the main focus of this programme is talent development and not to form a State military force.
“We are not aiming to form our own army, but rather to develop talent, train and produce someone who is able to work with the police and military, including the UKPS.
“This talent training does not necessarily have to be at Sandhurst, because Sandhurst emphasizes more on discipline, but in terms of knowledge, we can send them there,” he explained.
Abang Johari also pointed out that although security is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, Sarawak remains committed to strengthening internal control and peace through its own initiatives.
Also present at the event were Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, UKPS Director, Datu Dr. Chai Khin Chung, along with other distinguished guests. – DayakDaily
