Boundless Education: The Future of Free Learning in Sarawak

(Kuching, 27th)—Education has long been hailed as the cornerstone of personal and societal progress and prosperity. It equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. On a personal level, education has the power to transform lives—fostering self-growth, enhancing employability, and nurturing a sense of purpose and confidence. On a societal level, education drives innovation, narrows inequalities, and serves as the backbone of sustainable economic development.
However, for many people, the cost of higher education remains a heavy obstacle, stifling potential and crushing dreams. Recognizing that education is a right, not a privilege, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched a milestone initiative in early 2022—the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), set to be officially implemented in 2026. This policy marks a bold leap for Sarawak on its journey to champion educational equity and human capital development.
Abang Johari believes that education is the most effective weapon against poverty. Through FTES, Sarawak aims to close the urban-rural gap and equip students with skills attuned to future green, digital, and innovative economies. All Sarawak natives holding identity cards with the letter 'K' are eligible, ensuring that the scheme truly benefits those rooted in Sarawak. Upholding the principle of inclusive education, he also noted that students holding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) can apply as well, further expanding opportunities.
This policy removes financial barriers, encouraging broader participation in higher education, especially among marginalized groups. As more students enter key and emerging fields, graduate employability is expected to rise, cultivating a more competitive human resource.

On March 20, 2025, the Sarawak Cabinet officially approved FTES, allowing eligible Sarawakians enrolled in recognized state institutions to enjoy tuition-free status. On March 28, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah added that students from low-income families with a per capita monthly income of RM1,500 or less would also receive an annual living allowance of RM15,000.
This allowance is intended to ease the living pressures on students, especially those from rural areas. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian noted on March 29 that accommodation and meals are often heavy burdens, and this allowance can play a critical role, especially since tuition at institutions like Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak can reach RM39,000 per course.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting described FTES as a “nationally pioneering and breakthrough initiative.” On March 28, he stressed that many families—especially single parents and daily wage earners—struggle to fund their children’s education. “This RM15,000 allowance is set up for students who genuinely need it, ensuring they can focus on studying without additional financial pressure.” He also pointed out that economic stress often forces students to work part-time, impacting their studies and even causing them to drop out.
The first phase of FTES will be implemented at all Sarawakian higher education institutions, including Curtin University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS), and the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs). These form the core of Sarawak’s higher education ecosystem.
The policy is expected to provide free education to 25,000 students (covering all undergraduate courses except for medicine and dentistry), at an annual cost of about RM625 million. Before FTES, since 2018, the Sarawak government has already been providing free education for medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), with the government bearing RM80,000 per student annually.
Additionally, on August 23, 2024, the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (famed for technical and vocational training) was officially included in the list. The scheme prioritizes undergraduate courses aligned with Sarawak's future development, especially in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), as well as key disciplines like Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
These fields reflect not only global economic demand but also Sarawak’s vision of cultivating digital literacy, technological know-how, and financially literate talent.
Sagah added that current students will also benefit from FTES when it is implemented in 2026, ensuring the policy’s fairness and continuity. The second phase will explore extending coverage to public higher education institutions (IPTA) in the state, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak campus. Abang Johari has, in principle, agreed to this proposal on March 10, 2025.
The significance of FTES far exceeds the individual level. For Sarawak, free higher education is not an expense but a well-thought-out investment. As pro-chancellor of several universities (including Unimas, Swinburne, and UTS), Abang Johari has consistently championed educational excellence, viewing it as the engine of economic progress and social cohesion.
Through active engagement, he integrates academic advancement with Sarawak’s broader development agenda, ensuring universities are not only centers of learning but also drivers of innovation and societal transformation.
FTES embodies Sarawak’s vision of becoming a hub for talent, innovation, and opportunity. It aims to close divides, expand social mobility, and enhance competitiveness, sending a clear message to the world: In Sarawak, higher education is no longer a privilege for the few but a right for all.