(Miri, 28th) The Secretary-General of the Sarawak People's United Central Committee, Datuk Sebastian Ting, stated that the free tertiary education program (FTES) implemented by the Sarawak government once again highlights the true care of the Sarawak government for all the people. It demonstrates a firm commitment through practical actions to help the young learners of Sarawak. This initiative is also a pioneering move nationwide.
He said the plan not only fully waives university tuition fees but also provides a living allowance of up to RM 15,000 per year specially for students from low-income families to ensure they can complete their studies without worrying about financial pressure.
Sebastian Ting, who is also the assemblyman of the Piasau constituency, explained that the Sarawak cabinet approved in its meeting on the 20th of this month that Sarawak students with a family per capita income of less than RM 1,500 will receive RM 15,000 per year. If calculated based on a student studying 10 semesters per year, these students can receive RM 1,500 monthly; based on 12 months a year, they can receive an average of RM 1,250 per month.
“Many families may struggle to afford their children's university expenses due to financial difficulties, especially families involved in low-income labor or single-parent families. This RM 15,000 allowance is specifically for students who truly need support, to ensure they can complete their studies smoothly.”
He believes that the Sarawak government truly considers the voices of Sarawak students. Providing free higher education helps lighten the burden on parents, but giving living allowances to less fortunate Sarawak students ensures they have equal opportunities to strive with other students.
“We don't want less fortunate students to worry about living expenses. Although working and studying might be a life lesson for them, the Sarawak government has heard cases where students, despite enjoying free secondary education, dropped out due to the inability to afford living expenses. We don't want this story to repeat itself.”
The Sarawak cabinet's free higher education plan applies to higher education institutions in Sarawak, including the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak Technology University, and i-CATS University College. It covers bachelor's courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
Sebastian Ting also mentioned that Sarawak students currently studying related courses in the above institutions can apply to join the free education plan when the policy is implemented next year, whether they advance to sophomore or junior year.
“This also applies to Sarawak students studying related courses abroad or at other higher education institutions. If they plan to return to Sarawak next year to study at recognized institutions, they can also benefit from the free higher education.”
He believes this plan is expected to benefit many Sarawak students by providing them with financial support to complete higher education and cultivate more outstanding talents for Sarawak's future development.
Sebastian Ting emphasized that when the Sarawak government implements the free education plan, there will be no distinction based on race or economic class. Instead, it will follow a talent-first principle, and all students who meet the qualifications can benefit.
“No matter your background or ethnicity, everyone has an equal opportunity under the free higher education policy because the goal of the Sarawak government is to cultivate and retain talent, providing them with the best educational opportunities.”
He said the plan not only fully waives university tuition fees but also provides a living allowance of up to RM 15,000 per year specially for students from low-income families to ensure they can complete their studies without worrying about financial pressure.
Sebastian Ting, who is also the assemblyman of the Piasau constituency, explained that the Sarawak cabinet approved in its meeting on the 20th of this month that Sarawak students with a family per capita income of less than RM 1,500 will receive RM 15,000 per year. If calculated based on a student studying 10 semesters per year, these students can receive RM 1,500 monthly; based on 12 months a year, they can receive an average of RM 1,250 per month.
“Many families may struggle to afford their children's university expenses due to financial difficulties, especially families involved in low-income labor or single-parent families. This RM 15,000 allowance is specifically for students who truly need support, to ensure they can complete their studies smoothly.”
He believes that the Sarawak government truly considers the voices of Sarawak students. Providing free higher education helps lighten the burden on parents, but giving living allowances to less fortunate Sarawak students ensures they have equal opportunities to strive with other students.
“We don't want less fortunate students to worry about living expenses. Although working and studying might be a life lesson for them, the Sarawak government has heard cases where students, despite enjoying free secondary education, dropped out due to the inability to afford living expenses. We don't want this story to repeat itself.”
The Sarawak cabinet's free higher education plan applies to higher education institutions in Sarawak, including the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak Technology University, and i-CATS University College. It covers bachelor's courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
Sebastian Ting also mentioned that Sarawak students currently studying related courses in the above institutions can apply to join the free education plan when the policy is implemented next year, whether they advance to sophomore or junior year.
“This also applies to Sarawak students studying related courses abroad or at other higher education institutions. If they plan to return to Sarawak next year to study at recognized institutions, they can also benefit from the free higher education.”
He believes this plan is expected to benefit many Sarawak students by providing them with financial support to complete higher education and cultivate more outstanding talents for Sarawak's future development.
Sebastian Ting emphasized that when the Sarawak government implements the free education plan, there will be no distinction based on race or economic class. Instead, it will follow a talent-first principle, and all students who meet the qualifications can benefit.
“No matter your background or ethnicity, everyone has an equal opportunity under the free higher education policy because the goal of the Sarawak government is to cultivate and retain talent, providing them with the best educational opportunities.”