Batu Kitang rep: Sarawak govt optimising resources by only offering free tertiary education to selected courses

Dato Lo Khere Chiang

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 1: The Sarawak government’s decision to offer free tertiary education for selected courses is to optimise resources and avoid indiscriminate spending.

In stating this, Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang said this selective approach allows the government to align its investments with regional needs and future economic priorities.

“Critics who call for universal free education across all courses may have overlooked the importance of strategic resource allocation.

“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is working diligently to generate revenue for Sarawak, and spending these resources wisely, particularly for long-term needs, is essential.

“By prioritising fields with the most pressing needs, such as science and technical areas facing shortages, the government is demonstrating a commitment to effective and sustainable investments,” he said in a statement today.

He also said such an approach mirrored practices in other countries such as United Kingdom where free or subsidised education is often available for high-demand sectors like nursing and teaching, and Australia where subsidised places are frequently reserved for courses with identified skill shortages, such as early childhood education, reflecting a strategic investment in critical areas.

He was responding to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen who recently called on the GPS government to stay true to its promise of providing free tertiary education for all Sarawakians studying in State-owned institutions by 2026.

Lo further warned that offering free education across all courses without considering resource limitations could lead to financial shortfalls that might jeopardise the overall sustainability of the programme.

By focusing on fields with the most pressing needs, such as science and technical areas facing shortages, he said the government ensures that the initiative remains effective and sustainable, reflecting a commitment to responsible fiscal management and strategic investment.

“The notion that the government has broken its promise overlooks the complexity of policy implementation. Promises must be adapted as circumstances change and as detailed planning reveals the practicalities of execution.

“The government’s decision to focus on specific courses does not negate its commitment to providing free education but rather it could represent a prudent adjustment to ensure the initiative’s long-term viability,” he added. — DayakDaily