Abang Johari:We'll explore ways to extend financial support to Sarawakian students studying in public universities

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 2025: The Sarawak government is actively exploring ways to extend financial support to Sarawakian students in federal public universities, as it recognises that its upcoming Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will not cover them.

Abang Johari: PTPTN model ruled out as it will burden graduates with debt 

Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said that state government has ruled out using a loan-based system like the PTPTN  (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) because it does not want to burden graduates with debt.

“The goal is to find a new and suitable way to provide assistance,” he said at the town hall session held in conjunction with Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak in Putrajaya today.

“We will look for the best suitable option,” he assured.

He said he has received feedback from Sarawakian students studying in public universities who have asked the state government to look into their situation since they will not be covered by the free tertiary education initiative.

However, he said the state government will continue allocating RM1,200 yearly pocket money to these students to help them buy food items.

He added he will announce “other initiatives” for the students when he tables the state budget 2026 in the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) at the end of next month.

He said the state government does not have any say in how the public universities are being run by the Higher Education Ministry.

Abang Johari said he is aware that many students are unhappy that they are given a course that they did not apply  for by Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU).

He added the state government’s jurisdiction only covers state-owned University Technology Sarawak, I-CATS University College, Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University of Technology and Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak.

The townshall session, attended by Sarawakians studying and working in Malaya, was moderated by Sri Aman MP and PRS Women head Datuk Sri Doris Brodie.

All those present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, deputy premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and federal and state ministers from Sarawak.