Free tertiary education in Sarawak from 2026, says premier

Free education at universities and higher education institutions owned by the Sarawak government for natives of the state is expected to be implemented in 2026, says Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He said the annual projection of Sarawak's income, which had shown an increase since 2020, had given him the confidence to set the expectation by the state government.

"I can commit to 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 12 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 in Simanggang yesterday, he said the intention of providing free higher education was to ensure that more Sarawakians were qualified and able to use new technology 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 strengthen our economy and develop our infrastructure," he said.