SARAWAK Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said his government will implement free education for state residents at universities and higher education institutions owned by the Sarawak government in 2026. 

He said the annual projection of Sarawak’s income, which had shown an increase since 2020, had given him the confidence to set such expectations. 

“I can commit 2026 (to provide free tertiary education) because I have predicted that our economy will be stronger in 2026. If in 2022, the state’s income had increased to RM12 billion, (my) calculation this year is that it’s likely to break the (income) record of 2022,” he said. 

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the Tidal Bore Festival today, he said the intention of providing free higher education was to ensure more Sarawak residents were qualified and able to use new technologies to drive the state’s development. 

“We already have a sovereign fund for our future, and apart from that, we will focus on our children’s education and also to strengthen our economy and develop our infrastructure,” he said.  

On another matter, Abang Johari said an area between Samarahan and Sri Aman had been identified for large-scale rice cultivation using the latest technology. 

He said the measure was a long-term approach to prevent Sarawak from facing a shortage in supply of local rice. 

Commenting on the Tidal Bore Festival that began on September 29, he said the increase in the number of visitors to the event reflected the rapid development of domestic tourism in Sarawak. 

Abang Johari said the festival would be able to attract even more visitors if the organisers could diversify the activities, and in turn, generate income for the local community. – Bernama, October 1, 2023.