KUCHING: A total of 117 outstanding students from the Batu Kawa constituency who excelled in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) were presented with certificates of achievement and academic incentives by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Datuk Amar Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government as well as the Batu Kawah Assemblyman, officiated the award ceremony held on Saturday in recognition of the students' excellent academic performance.

The recipients had each achieved a minimum of five As in their respective examinations.

Most of the awardees are students from SMK Batu Kawa, SM Min Lit Batu Kawa, and SMK Jalan Arang, while others are enrolled in various secondary schools outside the constituency but reside within the Batu Kawa area.

In his address, Datuk Amar Dr Sim said the event served as a platform to acknowledge and encourage academic excellence among local youth.

“Each year, many students from Batu Kawa perform exceptionally well in their public examinations. This reflects the high academic standards among our students and is a testament to the unwavering support of parents and the commitment of our educators,” he said.

Highlighting Sarawak’s growing pool of exceptional talents, Datuk Amar Dr Sim cited the example of a globally recognised cancer researcher hailing from the state, as proof of Sarawakians' potential to make meaningful contributions on the international stage.

He added that Sarawak’s capabilities in healthcare have also gained regional prominence, pointing to the Sarawak Heart Centre, which was fully developed through state initiatives and now stands as a leading specialist facility in the region.

He also noted that Sarawak General Hospital has earned international recognition in several fields.

Datuk Amar Dr Sim further emphasised the Sarawak Government’s commitment to educational advancement, explaining that the state continues to invest in education not only through incentives and financial assistance, but also by offering free tertiary education via its five state-owned universities.

“Sarawak is undergoing rapid transformation and we need more technically skilled graduates to meet the state’s growing demand for human capital. Regardless of where their careers may take them, I urge our students to always remember their roots and return to serve their communities,” he said. -UKASnews