Madani gov’t rolls out free Jalur Gemilang badges as ‘flush with oil money’ Sarawak invests in free colour-blind tertiary educ.

 

AS all public-school pupils will soon receive two free Jalur Gemilang badges to be worn on their school uniforms to promote patriotism and national resilience, the education sector in Sarawak is abuzz with the prospect of free tertiary education for all “Anak Sarawak” regardless of race or religion effective 2026.

This follows a circular by the Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry dated March 26 on the implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education scheme (FTES) which was given the nod during the state Cabinet meeting on March 20.

The institutions involved are Sarawak-owned institutes of higher learning, namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University Technology of Sarawak and i-CATS University College.

The approved programmes under the FTES include undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), law, medical, accounting and finance.

Inevitably the timing of the forward-looking FTES by the Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg a.k.a. Abang Jo-led administration has sparked envy among Malaysians in the peninsular who can only be looking forward to “two free Jalur Gemilang badges”.

“So, they took back their oil money and is investing in their own people regardless if race and religion. A big FU to Semenanjung Malaysia ,” teased Aymir (@AymirBanksar) on X in response to a post by Swifties For Palestine  (@folkloreswifty) which outlined an abundance of freebies to lift Sarawak’s education sector.

“They just showed that it’s actually possible to improve the people’s situation if it weren’t for the big fat corrupted politicians here, eating blind salaries, traveling to the UK and being busy with their walking culture.”

One commenter described the ambitious free education scheme as a praiseworthy “political strategy to remain relevant in the hearts of the people” to which the poster seconded that “the bottom line is the rakyat wants to see actions not just empty promises and blatant speeches”.

One commenter sarcastically rubbed salt on the wound by implying how dare Sarawak “boldly pursued a colour and creed-blind policy deprived of the Ketuanan concept and race-based quota”.

Others can only hope that their own states would follow Sarawak’s footsteps.

In her original post, Swifties For Palestine  has shared that there are an abundant of freebies made available to entice Sarawakians to pursue tertiary education aside from the fact that tertiary education is now free for all Anak Sarawak.

These include free laptop assistance (RM3,000) and book voucher (RM500) by the Sarawak Government (closing date April 30 for application) and pocket money of RM1,200 from the state government through the SarawakPay app.

To cut a long story, short, whether Sarawak aspires to be the next Singapore or otherwise, the underlying question as one commenter cynically put it is “on federal level, we’ve mandatory plastic flag badges! Hooray!”. 

- focus malaysia