KUCHING: The free education programme implemented by the Sarawak Government starting in 2026 will be further extended to students in the state studying at public higher education institutions under the second phase of the initiative.

Rector of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah said Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg has agreed in principle with the proposal, especially for students at UiTM Sarawak Branch, to develop a skilled workforce.

"Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari has in principle agreed and this will be implemented in the next phase, which is the second phase, where free education will be extended to Sarawakian students from local public higher education institutions, especially UiTM Sarawak Branch," he said.

He said this when met by the media after paying a courtesy call on the Sarawak Premier at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Monday.

The first phase will see free education given to Sarawakians studying at Sarawak-owned universities starting next year.

Meanwhile, Dr Firdaus added that Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also proposed UiTM to assist the Sarawak Government in transforming the agricultural industry.

He explained that among the proposals of the Sarawak Premier is to make the UiTM Mukah Campus, which has 500 hectares of land, a hub for paddy cultivation projects, especially in research and development (R&D) of paddy seeds, productivity and paddy yields.

"So we will examine the proposal of the Sarawak Premier and establish a research team for the study.

“Later, we will present to the Sarawak Government how we can assist in terms of technology, infrastructure and productivity of paddy cultivation for the state, including carbon storage because paddy cultivation is related to that matter," he explained.

He added, the Sarawak Premier also suggested that the UiTM Sarawak Branch prepare a working paper to form an R&D laboratory for microalgae projects in the state.

In another development, Dr Firdaus Abdullah has proposed to the Sarawak Premier to establish the 'Kursi Tun Openg History And Heritage'.

He explained further that UiTM will collaborate with the programme to conduct research on the development of Islam and also the cultural history of Sarawak. -UKASnews