Free education not a licence to be complacent, Dr Annuar reminds students

SIBU, April 22 2026: The Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is not a licence for students to be complacent, on the contrary, failure to complete their studies within the stipulated period could result in them having to bear the high cost of tuition themselves. 

Caption: Deputy Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee at a dialogue session with the students

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee, emphasised that the free education opportunities offered by the Sarawak Government come with significant responsibilities that must not be taken lightly. 

He maintained that a complacent attitude towards something obtained for free is a serious risk that could jeopardise the students' future. 

He said this while speaking at the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) Dialogue Session at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Sibu yesterday. 

According to him, the state government has allocated RM250 million for this year to ensure the success of the scheme, thereby demanding a high level of commitment from students to fully capitalise on the opportunity. 

He added that students who fail to complete their studies within the stipulated timeframe will be required to bear the remaining tuition costs themselves, which could become a significant financial burden for both the individuals and their families. 

At the same time, he emphasised that this free education opportunity only comes once in a lifetime and was never enjoyed by previous generations. 

In addition to the tuition fee waiver, the FTES scheme also provides a living allowance of RM15,000 per annum to eligible students. 

However, he acknowledged that there were delays in the disbursement of the allowance during the initial implementation phase and informed that Yayasan Sarawak is taking immediate steps to improve the process. 

Elaborating further, he explained that only 64 courses are offered at this time because implementation is being carried out in stages, based on the state's workforce requirements and the principle of equity. 

The dialogue session was attended by more than 2,000 UTS students eligible for the FTES scheme, who also make up the very first cohort.

GPS, DAP playing same old political arrogance over "kasi DAP telur" in coming Sarawak election

KUCHING, April 21 2026: Unkind remarks by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) last weekend’s convention to ensure that the state DAP receives only “eggs” in the coming state election may sound bold, but it also reflects the same old political arrogance that has dominated Sarawak for decades,  Voon Lee Shan (picture)  commented.

Parti  Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president said DAP leaders may dismiss such remarks as an insult to the intelligence of voters and argue that Sarawak cannot survive without opposition in the State Legislative Assembly.

“But on the ground, the message from ordinary Sarawakians is becoming louder and clearer that they are tired of both DAP and GPS playing the same old political game,” he said in a statement.

He said Sarawakians do not want imported political brands from Malaya disguised disguised as local faces.

“Peninsula-based parties like DAP are increasingly seen as instruments of Malayan political imperialism—parties that speak of reform but ultimately serve federal interests before Sarawak’s rights.

“Citing examples of political deceptions, in the 2018 Malaysian general election manifesto, DAP and Pakatan Harapan promised Sarawak 20 oer cent oil royalties and the return of 50 per cent of revenue derived from our state if they formed the federal government.

“Where are those promises today?” Voon asked.

He said Sarawakians also remember the famous slogan: “Hari ini menang, besok harga minyak turun.” “That promise echoed across the nation and was repeated by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim during earlier campaigns.

“Yet after victory came excuses, not relief,” he added.

Voon said GPS must not pretend innocence, saying that the ruling coalition is essentially a rebranded version of the old Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery that ruled Sarawak for decades while the state’s oil and gas wealth flowed steadily to Putrajaya.

“If after BN came GPS, must Sarawakians prepare for yet another rebranding tomorrow?” he asked.

He said 50 years since the enactment of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) Sarawak’s oil and gas continue to drain away to the federal government.

“The people are asking a simple but powerful question: why must Sarawak continue sharing its oil and gas resources with the federal government as though one is forced to share one’s own spouse with strangers?” he asked.

Voon said it iss unnatural, humiliating and unacceptable.

“That anger is real. It is heard not in air-conditioned political conventions, but in kitchens, coffeeshops, kampungs, and longhouses across Sarawak,” Voon said.

He added PBK has repeatedly called on the GPS government to direct all Sarawak Members of Parliament to file a motion in Parliament to repeal the PDA74 and restore full control of Sarawak’s petroleum resources to the people of this land.

“DAP remains equally silent—offering drama, slogans, and political theatre instead of real action.

“Sarawak does not need more slogans. Sarawak does not need more rebranded masters.

“Sarawak needs courageous, homegrown opposition rooted in our own soil—leaders who will fight unapologetically for full autonomy and resource ownership,” he said.

Upset with Dr Sim's "kasi DAP telur" remarks, two DAP leaders say Sarawak needs elected opposition in the state assembly

KUCHING, April 20 2026:  Two state DAP leaders are upset with Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Kian who called on the Sarawakian voters to give an “egg” to the Opposition in the coming state election, just as in Sabah in last year’s election.

Caption: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says not in Sarawak's interest to have no elected opposition member in the state legislative assembly 

 They said that the “kasi DAP telur” remark is an insult to the intelligence of the people, saying that it is in essence a direct affront to voters’ wisdom and their ability to make thoughtful, independent choices.

“We always strongly believe that it is always for the interest of any government whether on the state or even federal governments  to have a credible and construction opposition that will act as a check and balance as well as add positive pressure to the government for them to perform better,” Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said in a statement.

“So it is never in the interest of Sarawak to no opposition, no checks and balance as well as no accountability in a democratic process.

“In fact it can be said that zero opposition is detrimental and against the interest of Sarawak,” Dr Yii said.

He said he strongly believes it is even more important that “we have a stronger opposition now that Sarawak is getting more resources from the federal government and taxes from our oil and gas resources.”

“It is important all the additional funds are properly scruitinised to ensure it directly benefits the people of Sarawak and do not enrich just a small group of elites.

“It is also important to keep the pressure against the government when they implement bad or unfair policies or even for good policies, we must also keep them accountable so that all those policies announced, are properly implemented, implemented on time and reach directly to the people,” Dr Yii said.

Pending State Legislative Member (SLM) Violet Yong described Dr Sim’s remark, especially from a deputy premier, as very low class.

“The office he holds demands a higher standard of leadership, maturity and respect for democratic values not cheap slogans meant to provoke and divide,” she said.

Violet reminded Dr Sim that in the last election, several SUPP victories did not come from overwhelming support but from split votes and at least one seat was won by a razor-thin margin. “These are not mandates that justify arrogance but reminders of how fragile electoral outcomes can be,” she added.

Caption: Pending SLM Violet Yong says the absence of a strong opposition in SLM weakens scrutiny and harms governance 

She said Dr Sim should also reflect on his own party’s history, saying that political arrogance has never ended well and history has shown that it often leads to decline and rejection by the people

She said elections exist to ensure accountability and checks and balances not to eliminate opposition voices simply because they are inconvenient.

“A government without opposition is not strength; it is unchecked power. History has repeatedly shown that absolute power corrupts absolutely, which is precisely why a functioning democracy must always have a strong opposition.

“The absence of a strong opposition weakens scrutiny, reduces transparency, and ultimately harms governance.

“More importantly, Sarawakians do not need to follow Sabah. The people here are fully capable of deciding who should represent them based on service, track record and credibility not by importing political narratives from elsewhere,” she said.

Sultan of Selangor suggests state postpones Malaysia Games

SHAH ALAM, April 20 2026:The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has suggested that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in the state be postponed until the crisis in West Asia comes to an end.

His Royal Highness said the event should also be postponed until the redevelopment of the Shah Alam Stadium is fully complete, Malay Mail reported today.

“Regarding the hosting of Sukma by the state of Selangor, I am informed that the allocation required is very high.

“In the current economic situation, I feel it is more appropriate for the event to be postponed until the crisis in West Asia is resolved and until the Shah Alam Stadium is fully completed,” he said when opening the fourth session of the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly here today.

Previously, Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the biennial Games scheduled from August 15 to 24, would be held on a smaller scale to reduce organising costs without reducing the number of sports and events contested.

A total of 53 venues across nine districts in Selangor will be used for the competition which is expected to feature 474 events across 37 sports.