FTES will stay, assures premier after some critics expressing doubts about its introduction

KUCHING, Nov 7 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has assured that the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will stay, in response to some critics who have expressed doubts about its introduction.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that  the Sarawak government is doing its part in increasing the talent pool by providing eligible Sarawakians with access to higher education without tuition fees through FTES. 

"Some have questioned whether the scheme will stop the brain drain in Malaysia from happening while others have asked whether the government is wasting money if these students move overseas to work after enjoying free education," he posed at SHEDA annual dinner tonight.

"Although we cannot predict the future, our main priority is to prepare graduates whose skillset aligns with Sarawak’s aspirations," he said, adding that the state government is confident that in this process, it is building a future-oriented, Sarawak-centric economy that all graduates, whether Sarawakian or not, will want to be a part of.

In his text of speech read by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is doing its part in increasing the talent pool by providing eligible Sarawakians with access to higher education without tuition fees through FTES. 

He said the returns on investment the state ultimately seeks are world-ranked, globally recognised Sarawakian graduates who choose to develop Sarawak, not because they are forced through financial bonds or coercion, but of their own free will "because they see the value in contributing to the well-being of Sarawak’s people."

The premier believed that the people will remain the pulse of the state's progress. 

He said the state government wants Sarawakians to find opportunities, build fulfilling lives and prosper here. 

"We believe that in time, prosperity and profitability will follow people who are empowered," he said, adding that the Sarawak government is investing in human capital today because we are building ROI (return on investment) into the fabric of the Sarawak economy of tomorrow.


About 6,246 young Sarawakians are benefitting from the scheme, with more than half coming from lower-income families, this year.

In 2027, this figure is projected to grow to 10,600 students, supported by a budgeted allocation of RM200 million. 

Sarawak State Election: Ages, skills and performances to be taken into account in selection potential candidates, says GPS chairman

MIRI, Nov 7 2026: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will take into account the ages, skills and performances of its potential candidates in the Dec 12 state election, its chairman Abang Johari Openg has revealed.

Caption: GPS chairman and Premier Abang Johari Openg says  changing age composition of the community is among the factors that need to be given attention in the candidate selection process.

He said GPS will give attention to these criteria in determining its candidate line-up to face the 13th state election.

Also he stressed the candidate assessment process also takes into account feedback and the increase in the number of young people in the community.

“We will often see, not only performance but we will see feedback. And also because of the increase in young people, so we need to take that into account in terms of skills and age,” he told reporters  after opening the Orang Ulu Cultural Centre, Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM) today.

He added the changing age composition of the community is among the factors that need to be given attention in the candidate selection process.

Sarawak State Election:Why fear Malayan politicians so much? Dominique Ng asks PBK president

KUCHING, Nov 7 2026: State PKR Kuching division chairman Dominique Ng Kim Ho has told Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan not to fear Malayan politicians from entering Sarawak to garner support for their respective parties in state election.

Caption: State PKR Kuching division chairman Dominique Ng Kim Ho says  calling on the state government to ban the entry of Malayan politicians is a politics of hatred and intolerance, which has no place in society.

"Why fear them so much? Are they subversive undesirable elements?" Ng asked when reacting to Voon's statement earlier today.

He said he could remember correctly some time back, some Malayan politicians were denied entry but then some ended up as federal ministers.

"So, how?" he asked with a smiling emoji.

"And don't forget that in the recent 2027 budget,  the Madani government gave RM16.2 billions to Sarawak, more than Sarawak's own 2027 budget.

"Maybe it is  better for Voon and PBK to find out how the funds from the federal govt was spent by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government. 

"Why fear or hate Malayan politicians so much? Some of them are more vocal and daring in raising issues of corruption and abuse of power and against racial and religious extremists when compared to our Sarawak MPs," he said.

Ng said calling on the state government to ban the entry of Malayan politicians is a politics of hatred and intolerance, which has no place in society.

Early today, Voon has called upon the Sarawak government to consider using the state's immigration autonomy to restrict or ban the involvement of politicians, ministers, members of parliament (MPs) and state legislative members (SLMs) from Malaya to come and campaign for their political parties during Sarawak state election.

"Sarawak election is for Sarawakians to choose the government that will govern Sarawak. The issues are locals, such as land, cost of living, jobs, water, electricity, roads, internet, education, healthcare and the protection of Sarawak’s rights and resources," he said when supporting PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah's suggestion that political leaders from Malaya need not to come to Sarawak to support Malayan-based parties in the Sarawak election.

Voon said PBK's call is related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Malaysia Plan that do not expressly provide that political parties from Malaya to be entitled to enter Sabah and Sarawak to contest state elections or campaign here. 

Voon said Sarawak’s election must remain in the hands of Sarawakians.

Premier calls for an in-depth investigation behind the rise of diabetes cases in Sarawak

MIRI. Nov 7 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has called for an in-depth investigation behind rise of diabetes cases in certain areas of the state, saying that the rise could be linked to the lifestyles, such as over consumption of food containing too much sugar and a lack of exercise.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg seen talking with a diabetic patient at the new Malaysian Red Crescent Dialysis Centre 

He said the rise in diabetes cases in several areas across Sarawak warrants serious attention and calls for greater public awareness regarding the importance of healthcare.

“We need to investigate the reasons behind this trend which was identified through health screening programmes, under the 'Sarawakku Sayang' initiative, that revealed an increase in diabetes cases in the affected areas.

"Unhealthy dietary habits, such as excessive consumption of sugar and starch-rich foods, combined with a lack of physical activity, may be contributing factors to this rise," he suggested at the opening of the new Malaysian Red Crescent Dialysis Centre here this afternoon.

He stressed that simply establishing more dialysis centres is not the primary solution if the public fails to take early preventive measures and prioritize their own personal health.

“Having a large number of dialysis centres suggests that something is amiss, as it indicates that many people are ill. In other words, we must take responsibility for our own health,” the premier said.

He advised the people to utilise health technology to monitor their personal health status, in addition to undergoing regular medical check-ups.

Sarawak State Election: PBK president supports calls for government to ban entry of Malayan politicians to come and campaign in state election

KUCHING, Nov 7 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has called upon the Sarawak government to consider using the state's immigration autonomy to restrict or to ban the involvement of politicians, ministers, members of parliament (MPs) and state legislative members (SLMs) from Malaya to come and campaign for their political parties during Sarawak state elections.

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says Sarawak’s election must remain in the hands of Sarawakians,

He claimed the Sarawak government may be seen weak in enforcing immigration autonomy or will send a signal to Sarawakians that Sarawak has lost her autonomy over immigration matters if those politicians can enter Sarawak to campaign in this 13th Sarawak elections 

"Sarawak elections are for Sarawakians to choose the government that will govern Sarawak. The issues are locals, such as land, cost of living, jobs, water, electricity, roads, internet, education, healthcare and the protection of Sarawak’s rights and resources," he said when supporting PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah's suggestion that political leaders from Malaya need not to come to Sarawak to support Malayan-based parties in the Sarawak election.

Voon said PBK's call is related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Malaysia Plan that do not expressly provide that political parties from Malaya to be entitled to enter Sabah and Sarawak to contest state elections or campaign here. 

"The people of Sarawak were not asked to surrender their right to choose their own state government to political parties based in Malaya.

"Sarawak has autonomy over immigration," he said, pointing out that the government has the authority to control entry into the state, including imposing conditions, restrictions or requirements on visitors where necessary in the interest of public order, security and the welfare of Sarawakians," he said.

He said his party believes Sarawak should use this autonomy carefully, lawfully and transparently to prevent outside political interference from overwhelming or distorting the choice of Sarawak voters. 

He said if the Sarawak government fails to act, it may be seen as weak in defending Sarawak’s autonomy and the democratic rights of its people.

He also calls on all political parties to respect the democratic right of Sarawakians to decide their own state government, saying that campaigning in Sarawak should focus on Sarawak’s needs and Sarawak’s future, not on federal political interests or agendas from outside the State.

"Sarawakians must be allowed to choose their leaders freely, without pressure, intimidation or excessive interference from political forces outside Sarawak.

"Sarawak’s election must remain in the hands of Sarawakians," he stressed.