Willie schools Chong: FTES was never designed as a blanket subsidy

KUCHING, Dec 20 25: Puncak Borneo federal lawmaker Willie Mongin schooled his Stampin counterpart, Chong Chieng Jen on the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) that will be implemented next year.

Willie Mongin: Supporting Swinburne, Curtin, UTS and i-CATS is not discrimination, it is state capacity building

He said Chong's media statement conflates equity with uniformity and overlooks the constitutional, financial, and policy rationale behind the scheme.

“Firstly, FTES was never designed as a blanket subsidy for all tertiary education pathways,” he said, addinhg that it is a strategic state policy aimed at strengthening Sarawak’s own higher education ecosystem by investing in state-owned universities, over which the Sarawak government has governance, accountability, and long-term development responsibility.

“Supporting Swinburne, Curtin, UTS and i-CATS is not discrimination, it is state capacity building,” Willie, said in a statement, referring to Swinburne University of Technology, campus, Curtin University of Technology, Miri campus, University of Technology Sarawak and I-CATS University  College.

He said public universities such as UNIMAS, UiTM, UM, USM and UKM fall squarely under federal jurisdiction, adding that theirr tuition fees are already heavily subsidised (around 90%) by the federal government, using national funds contributed by all Malaysians.

“To now demand Sarawak to additionally absorb the remaining balance effectively means double funding by the state, which is neither fiscally prudent nor constitutionally intended.

“If Chong believes further assistance is required, the appropriate avenue is to lobby the federal government, not shift responsibility to the state,” he said.

Willie stressed that private universities, especially overseas institutions are market-based choices with highly variable fees, saying that expecting Sarawak taxpayers to subsidise half or more of private and foreign tuition costs would be financially unsustainable and inequitable to lower-income families whose children remain within public or state institutions.

He added no state government anywhere can responsibly underwrite unlimited private education choices.

He said the claim that “the majority of Sarawakian students are left out” ignores the reality that Sarawak already provides multiple forms of assistance beyond FTES, including targeted aid, scholarships, and B40-specific support schemes.

“FTES is one pillar, not the entire education support framework,” he stressed.

Willie said that the repeated slogan that “no Sarawakian should be left behind” must be interpreted within policy logic and fiscal reality, not political rhetoric.

He explained inclusion does not mean identical treatment regardless of jurisdiction, cost structure, or governance responsibility.

“In fact, the GPS government should be commended for stepping in voluntarily despite education being a federal matter by providing free tertiary education within Sarawak-owned institutions,” he said, adding “Gratitude is warranted, not politicisation.”

Willie said if  Chong is sincere about helping Sarawakian students in federal and private universities, the principled course of action is clear: press the federal government to expand its funding and subsidies, instead of mischaracterising a state initiative that was never meant to replace federal responsibility.

“If he can't solicit and secure funding from the federal government to help Sarawakian, then he is nothing but just demagogue and political opportunist,” Willie charged.

Tiong slams Melaka government over the ban imposed on hotels against displaying Christmas decorations

KUCHING, Dec 20 2025: Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing has slammed the Melaka government over the ban imposed on hotels against putting up Christmas decorations that have  Malaysian Halal Certificate (SPHM).

Tiong King Sing: What image will we convey to the international community?  

He said such action has the potential to damage the image of Melaka and Malaysia as an international tourist destination.

According to Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka  (JAIM), the decoration ban only applies to kitchens and dining rooms that have halal certification and does not cover the entire hotel area.

Spaces that are not included in the halal certification scope, such as hotel lobbies or other public areas, are not subject to the decoration ban.

Tiong said he would like to emphasize that in the context of this plural society, Christmas celebrations are more about festive decorations and cultural expression.

“Every hotel should have the freedom to decorate within reasonable limits, including restaurants,” the Bintulu MP said, asking that “If the most basic right to decorate is questioned, what perception will be formed of our country?”

“What image will we convey to the international community? Melaka is a tourist city, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

“Not only has a rich historical heritage but also a combination of various cultures, religions, philosophies, and arts—this is Melaka's most valuable core value and attraction.

“Regarding this issue, I have received feedback from several international tourists who are confused and consider Melaka to be unfriendly in terms of religious and cultural tolerance.

“This perception contradicts Malaysia’s long-standing image as a multi-racial and multi-religious country in the international community,” he stressed.

Tiong said his concern goes beyond the interpretation of the regulations themselves; it lies in the impact this exaggerated issue will have on the international image of Melaka and Malaysia.

“We should not allow issues that should not be sensationalized to become political, religious or racial controversies,” he said, stressing that from an outside perspective, such discussions not only fail to help tourists understand the system but also easily lead to misunderstandings.

“In reality, this is just a festive decoration issue, but it has been exaggerated, into a racial and religious controversy, which only confuses the community and the outside world.

“Many people, both local and international, find it difficult to understand why a simple decoration matter has become such a big issue.

“We must remember that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country, and this diversity and inclusiveness are core values that Malaysia is proud of,” he said.

Tiong said he has stressed in Parliament that one of the most important priorities is to attract more international tourists to Malaysia.

He said  Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is of great importance to the country, and all states share this responsibility.

“If communication or handling of issues leads to doubts about Malaysia’s diversity and inclusiveness, then all previous efforts will be significantly affected, if not in vain.

“Therefore, I urge religious leaders to return to the table of dialogue and communication, resolving differences through discussion and mutual understanding, rather than allowing misunderstandings to linger,” he added.

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has long been committed to promoting interfaith dialogue, by bringing together religious leaders to exchange ideas and deliberate — a very important and valuable effort at the national level.

He said  the same spirit should be reflected in the implementation and communication at the state level.

He expressed his hope that the Melaka state government, especially the departments related to religious affairs and tourism, will strengthen coordination and proactively provide clear explanations to the public and international tourists.

He said all parties have focused their efforts on promoting Melaka, adding that he does not want this issue to leave a negative impact on Melaka at this crucial time of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

“The role of the state government should be to maintain harmony between different religions and ethnic groups, resolve misunderstandings through clear communication and rational handling, rather than magnifie minor issues and create more conflicts and unnecessary confusion.

“Only on the basis of mutual respect and tolerance can Melaka continue to be a model of multiculturalism, allowing the world to truly see the values of humanity, harmony, and unity that Malaysia upholds,” Tiong added.

 

State government refining process to import rice seeds and export rice

SRI AMAN, Dec 20 25: The Sarawak government through the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-FICORD) is refining the process to enable the state to import rice seeds and export rice, Premier Abang Johari Openg said.

Abang Johari Openg: Rice industry in the Sri Aman Division will be developed using ‘perennial rice’ seeds which have the potential to guarantee higher and sustainable harvests. 

He said discussions on the matter are being held with the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security  since currently rice import and export affairs are only handled by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS).

“So we want an investment where our rice board will be given permission to export rice and import seeds for our rice production,” he  told reporters after officiating the Sarawak Sri Aman Islamic Complex  today.

Abang Johari said the Sarawak government has basically agreed to establish the Sarawak Rice Board which will manage and coordinate the industry related to rice and rice production in the state.

He said rice industry in the Sri Aman Division will be developed using ‘perennial rice’ seeds which have the potential to guarantee higher and sustainable harvests.

The premier also said that the new coastal road connecting Kuching to Sri Aman Division is expected to shorten the travel time to around one hour when it is fully completed.

He said that the shortening of the travel distance would not only save time, but also make it easier for produce and products from Sri Aman to be sent directly to Kuching.

He explained that the coastal road would also open up wider access to the new port and airport in Tanjung Embang for export to the international market.

“We provide easy and comfortable mobility for our community, where they will be connected, and this opens up many opportunities for them.

“Residents in Sri Aman, for example, can start something new, sell products to Kuching, go to Tanjung Embang, and even go abroad because Tanjung Embang will be a major hub that includes our port and the new airport,” he said.

He added that the coastal road will be developed as a four-lane route starting from the Sejingkat Bridge to Kota Samarahan, then heading to Tanjung Embang, Sebuyau and Lingga before being connected to Gedong via the Pan Borneo Highway.