No Sarawakian left behind in drive for inclusive growth, says Abang Johari in Gawai message
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang wishes all Dayak celebrants and fellow Sarawakians a joyful and blessed Gawai Dayak celebration. – Photo courtesy of Premier's Office
KUCHING (May 31): Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), set to begin next year, will enable many Sarawakians from underprivileged and rural backgrounds to pursue higher education at the degree level, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier said the initiative, which is part of the state's broader push for inclusive development under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, aims to ensure that no one is left behind.
'In other words, the prosperity of Sarawak must benefit all Sarawakians, regardless of religious background, lineage, or where they live,' he said in his Gawai Dayak message.
Abang Johari emphasised that education is the best tool for uplifting communities and narrowing socio-economic disparities across the state.
'I strongly believe that education is the most powerful and effective way to unite every race in this state to jointly achieve the development of this state.
'The free education initiative at the university level or FTES starting next year is a step to open up opportunities for Sarawakian children without having to worry about the financial capabilities of the students' families,' he said.
He noted that FTES, which is expected to cost RM300 million in its first year, will support 10,000 students enrolled in four state-owned higher learning institutions in 2026.
'This initiative includes free tuition fees and an allowance of RM15,000 per year for students from families earning RM1,500 or less per month,' he said.
The Premier said the scheme will prioritise degree programmes in fields that are crucial for Sarawak's future workforce needs, namely Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), medicine, law, accounting, finance, and psychology.
He said these fields were chosen to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required by a rapidly evolving job market.
He also highlighted the state's efforts to strengthen access to world-class education through the establishment of Yayasan Sarawak International Schools.
'Admission to these schools is open to all Sarawakians who demonstrate academic excellence, especially children of farmers, fishermen, and those from the B40 group.
'Through this initiative, I am confident that many Sarawakian children will have the opportunity to be accepted into renowned universities such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and Stanford University in the United States,' he said.
On another matter, Abang Johari said Sarawak is exploring plans to convert 5,000km of unused logging roads, such as those in Kapit division, into public roads to improve rural connectivity and economic access.
He said this initiative is part of the Sarawak government's development strategy to fast-track infrastructure delivery in rural and interior areas.
'If implemented, this plan will greatly improve rural connectivity through a more structured road network,' he said.
He acknowledged that many rural and remote areas in Sarawak still lack sufficient infrastructure to support the movement of people and agricultural logistics.
'The conventional administrative and development approach is no longer sufficient to accelerate development in Sarawak, which is almost the size of Peninsular Malaysia which is divided into 11 states under the administration of 11 Menteri Besars and Chief Ministers.
'Therefore, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has established local development agencies under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) to further intensify development efforts across Sarawak, especially in rural areas that require infrastructure and public utilities,' he said.
He said the GPS government under his leadership, with the strong support of his colleagues in the State Cabinet, has worked hard over the past eight years to increase Sarawak's revenue.
'Alhamdulillah, Sarawak's revenue in 2024 has increased to RM15 billion from around RM6 billion eight years ago.
'With this increase revenue, the Sarawak government can implement more robust development programmes with greater confidence and vigour, particularly in terms of providing infrastructure facilities such as roads, bridges, costal roads, the Second Trunk Road to shorten travel distance between Kuching and Sibu, and access roads in rural areas,' he said.
He said this month alone, two bridges were officially open to the public namely the Batang Rajang Bridge not far from Sarikei to facilitate travel from Sarikei to Tanjung Manis, and the Saribas Bridge No.1.
'I officiated the Batang Rajang Bridge on May 17, which is the fourth bridge completed this year in a major plan to upgrade infrastructure facilities in Sarawak to catalyse economic growth.
'On May 25, the fifth bridge across Batang Saribas namely the 1.55km Saribas Bridge No.1 which cost RM376 million, was opened for public use,' he said.
He also said that other bridges expected to be completed this year are the Sungai Lingga, Batang Igan, Batang Lupar I, Sungai Limbang, Sebauh, and Sejingkat bridges.
'The construction of these bridges are among the 12 planned bridges, demonstrating the GPS government's commitment to upgrading Sarawak's road transport network to facilitate the movement of people, agricultural products and industrial products,' he added.
Abang Johari also touched on the recent mutual agreement between the Sarawak government and federal government in moving forward to develop the oil and gas industry in Sarawak in the spirit of respecting both federal and state laws.
'It is the aspiration of the people of Sarawak to utilise the returns from the state's natural resources to develop our state.
'Once again, I would like to thank the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for understanding our people's hopes for Sarawak to progress like other developed regions,' he said.
He said these aspirations are the legacy of past leaders who were other leaders of this country in the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
'The hopes of those leaders in 1963 are also the hopes of Sarawakians today – that Sarawak will one day become a developed and high-income region as envisioned in the PCDS 2030,' he said.
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