Kuching: The Sarawak state government is committed to continuing the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) beyond 2026, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Abang Johari announced that an allocation of RM250 million has been set aside for the FTES next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FTES initiative is not only planned for 2026 but is intended to be sustainable in the future. "Every year, we will continue to provide it. To keep giving, we must have the funds, and that is the work of your leaders to find the resources; we will do that part," stated Abang Johari during the launch of the FTES initiative. He reassured Sarawakian parents that they would not need to set aside income for their children's tertiary education.

Abang Johari expressed confidence in the state government's ability to sustain the FTES, stating that tertiary education has become the responsibility of the state government. He added, "I can assure you that as long as we have good governance and leaders who are sincere in managing the state, we can carry through this programme."

On December 1, State Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn reported that 64 courses have been approved under the FTES across four Sarawak-owned higher learning institutions, including Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University of Technology Sarawak, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.

The FTES not only covers tuition fees but also provides a monthly stipend to eligible students to support their basic living expenses throughout their studies. The scheme focuses on undergraduate degree programmes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), medicine, law, accounting, finance, and psychology to meet Sarawak's talent development needs.