Leader’s big bet on brains

KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has once again underlined the Sarawak government’s commitment to human capital development with the announcement of new master’s scholarships.

“The government hopes that all citizens will work together towards prosperity, adhering to the belief of ‘teaching one to fish rather than giving them fish,’ to elevate the cultural and intellectual standards of Sarawakians,” said Kelvin Hii, Publicity and Information Secretary of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Central Youth Section.

Hii said that the focus on education was not merely about creating financial wealth but about building a knowledgeable society.

“Sarawak is now on the right track for development, unlike in the past when some political parties simply urged the government to hand out money to the people,” he said.

The SUPP Youth leader cautioned against the perils of dependency on handouts.

“However, one must realise that while money can be distributed temporarily, it cannot be a permanent solution. Financial aid policies cannot truly make people wealthy; instead, they may foster dependency.

Real wealth comes from knowledge, which can transform individuals and families,” he said.

Drawing on his experience in China, Hii highlighted the transformative power of education.

“When I visited China, I asked the locals if the government wasn’t worried about vandalism or theft after building parks. They replied, ‘Many people in China no longer lack material things, and the education they received from a young age taught them what is right and wrong.’ This conversation made it clear that education can transform a place and its civilisation,” he said.

Under the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the state government has taken concrete steps to bolster education. These include funding school repairs, recruiting local teachers, supporting Chinese schools, recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), and introducing free education from 2026.

“It is particularly important to note that higher education is not inherently free, but the Sarawak government has chosen to cover tuition fees to help more Sarawakians attend university,” Hii added.