Education, a long-term investment with huge returns

SIBU: Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii congratulated 112 students from the Sarikei District for attaining excellent result in last year Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Huang pointed out that their success would motivate their younger siblings to study harder and achieve similar or even better results.

He said this when addressing the audience at Sarikei District Sarawak Education Expo 2024 held at Dewan Sentral Sarikei yesterday (July 27).

Huang speaking at the event.

“Education expo is a good effort to ensure students are able get the latest information on educational opportunities available.

“By taking this opportunity, students will have the information needed to make better decisions about which education institutions they want to further their study.

Huang who is also the Sarikei MP stressed that although education is a long-term investment, nevertheless it gives a big return in form of human development and economic prosperity to a nation.

He added that the state government’s initiative to provide opportunities to all Sarawakian students to continue their studies at universities owned by the Sarawak Government will greatly benefit the state in the long run.

“Sarawak will create history when it becomes the first state in Malaysia to offer free tertiary education to about 25,000 Sarawak students from 2026 onwards,” he said.

According to him, the free education will be implemented based on the confidence of the Sarawak Government’s economic strength.

Huang (seated centre) with the organising committees and participants of the expo.

“With a developed and sustainable economy, free education initiatives can be realised successfully.
“Under the astute and visionary leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak’s economy has shown a remarkable growth and this is a proud achievement for our beloved state.

“With the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy Action Plan 2030, focusing on sectors such as Green Hydrogen Production, Storage Carbon, Autonomous Stream Transit System (ART), Company Sarawak Owned Aviation, Port Development, Digital Economy, Free Higher Education Policy 2026, Hydro and Solar Energy Development by 2030, Sarawak will be seen as a catalyst for greater economic success in the future,” Huang added.

Also present were Sarikei Division Resident, Michael Ronnie Langgong, Sarikei District officer, Louis Yeo Soon Guan and representative from Sarawak Foundation, Yantiska Mahmud.