‘Education is both federal and state responsibility’: SUPP man hits back at Chong over FTES criticism

SIBU (Dec 21): Education is a shared responsibility that must be pursued on both federal and state fronts for the benefit of Sarawakian students, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central chairman Councillor Kevin Lau.

He said it was disingenuous for Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to criticise the Sarawak government over its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) initiative while failing to actively advocate for Sarawakian students studying in public universities under federal jurisdiction.

“Instead of supporting a progressive and people-centric policy that directly benefits Sarawakian students, Chong has chosen to allege the Sarawak government has deliberate excluded certain students.

“It must be clearly understood that when the Sarawak government invests public funds back into education, priority should reasonably be given towards strengthening our state-owned institutions.

“Moreover, he is well aware that higher education governance in Malaysia operates within a clear framework that distinguishes federal and state responsibilities,” Lau said in a statement.

He added that it was misleading for Chong to suggest the Sarawak government was not inclusive, as a RM1,200 allowance is provided to all eligible Sarawakian students regardless of institution.

Citing the federal Budget 2026, Lau said the Ministry of Higher Education was allocated RM18.6 billion, and questioned whether Chong had raised in Parliament how much of the amount was earmarked for Sarawak.

He also asked whether clarity had been sought on the RM4.4 billion in scholarships, loans, and allowances allocated by the federal government and its government-linked companies (GLCs), and how much would directly benefit Sarawakian students.

“At the state level, the Sarawak government has allocated RM15 million in the state 2026 Budget to subsidise National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments for Sarawakian borrowers who have repaid over 30 per cent of their total loan.

“Instead of engaging in political rhetoric, Chong should work constructively with the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Adam Adli to fulfil Pakatan Harapan’s election promises on PTPTN reforms.

“The Sarawak government has clearly demonstrated its political will by implementing free tertiary education initiatives. It is now time for DAP Sarawak to show the same level of commitment by delivering tangible outcomes for Sarawakian students at the federal level,” he said.