Sarawak wants its graduates to return home and contribute to the state’s development willingly, rather than being forced to do so through financial bonds or other forms of obligation, caretaker Premier Abang Johari Openg said.
He said the state’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) was not simply about providing free university education, but also about developing a skilled workforce to support Sarawak’s future economy.
“The return on investment (ROI) we ultimately seek are world-ranked, globally recognised Sarawakian graduates who choose to develop Sarawak, not because they are forced through financial bonds or coercion, but of their own agency and free will, because they see the value in contributing to the well-being of Sarawak’s people,” he said.
Abang Johari’s speech was read by his deputy, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, at the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday.
He explained that FTES was part of the state government’s broader effort to expand its talent pool by giving eligible Sarawakians access to higher education without tuition fees.
Around 6,246 young Sarawakians are benefiting from the scheme in 2026, with more than half coming from lower-income households.
The figure is expected to increase to 10,600 students in 2027, backed by an allocation of RM200 million.
However, Abang Johari acknowledged questions over whether the initiative could address Malaysia’s brain drain, as well as concerns about public funds being spent on students who might eventually pursue careers overseas.
While the government could not predict where graduates would eventually work, he said its priority was to produce skilled individuals whose expertise matched Sarawak’s development ambitions.
“Although we cannot predict the future, our main priority is to prepare graduates whose skillset aligns with Sarawak’s aspirations.
“We are confident that in this process, we are building a future-oriented, Sarawak-centric economy that all graduates, whether Sarawakian or not, will want to be a part of,” he said.
He described people as “the pulse of our progress”, saying FTES was the government’s way of assuring young Sarawakians that the state believed in their potential.
“We want you to find opportunities, build fulfilling lives and prosper here. We believe that in time, prosperity and profitability will follow people who are empowered,” he said.
Abang Johari added that investments in education and human capital today would help generate long-term economic returns for Sarawak.
He also connected the initiative to the state’s property industry, arguing that a sustainable property market would depend on developing capable professionals and industry leaders.
“The Sarawak government is investing in human capital today because we are building ROI into the fabric of the Sarawak economy of tomorrow.
“Because we are prioritising strong governance systems and fiscal policies for tomorrow. Because we foresee that a sustainable property market tomorrow begins with nurturing world-class movers and shakers today.
“So, developers, industry players, distinguished guests, let me ask you, ‘What are you choosing to prioritise today?’” he added.
