Education investment key to Sarawak’s progress, says Minos

KUCHING: Sarawak’s emphasis on education under its Budget 2027 will help develop the skilled workforce needed to drive industrialisation and long-term progress, opined a political observer.

Datuk Peter Minos said the continued RM200 million allocation for free tertiary education scheme (FTES) next year reflected the state government’s seriousness in developing Sarawak’s human capital.

“I am very happy that Sarawak is taking education seriously. The state government will spend RM200 million on free tertiary education next year,” he said in a statement.

Minos who is also the Serian District Council (MDS) chairman said the initiative would help Sarawak produce the skilled professionals and experts needed to support its development.

Drawing a comparison with Singapore, he said skilled and talented manpower had enabled the neighbouring country to excel despite its limited natural resources.

“We badly need skilled professionals and experts to move forward, become more industrialised and achieve greater advancement. Singapore has very little natural resources, but because it has skilled and talented manpower, it has excelled and progressed considerably.

“Sarawak has abundant natural resources. If these are combined with expertise and skills, we can reach greater heights,” he said.

Minos also welcomed the planned establishment of an education council to strengthen and coordinate education policies and programmes.

He described the state government’s approach to educating Sarawakians as commendable, saying it would help prepare the people for the state’s future development.

“This is a great move and shows how serious Sarawak is about education. Having education coordinated by the council is a wise step.

“We cannot afford a haphazard and disorganised education system,” he added.