Sarawak education reforms could transform state in 10 years, says former minister

KUCHING (Feb 7): Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik believes Sarawak could see significant improvements in education and socio-economic conditions over the next decade, driven by ongoing education reforms, particularly the statewide implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP).

In a Facebook post following his visit to Sarawak, Maszlee said he was grateful for making the “big decision” to support Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the people of Sarawak in implementing the DLP across the state in 2018.

He added that in the same year, he had also supported efforts to secure a RM1 billion contract payment between the federal and state governments in 2019 to boost Sarawak’s education development.

“I give a period of only ten years for us to see significant changes to education and also the socio-economics in Sarawak as a result of the education reform efforts they have started today,” he said.

Maszlee was in Kuching to speak at the Empowering Mathematics and Science Sarawak (EMASS) Workshop.

He noted that the Sarawak government, under the leadership of Abang Johari, had acted swiftly in the post-Covid-19 period by rolling out radical and holistic initiatives aligned with the implementation of the DLP.

“What the Sarawak government is doing for the education of its children today, whether at the policy or tertiary level, is an effort to shift the tectonic landscape not only within the state, but also nationally and regionally,” he said.

He further expressed appreciation to State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee for the invitation to engage with educators and school leadership, whom he described as “history makers” in advancing education in the state.