Sarawak prioritises talent over race in education, says Abang Jo

Sarawak prioritises talent over race in education, says Abang Jo. – Photo by Chimon Upon/The Borneo Post

First Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 12:02 PM MYT

KUCHING, Nov 11 — Sarawak does take race into account when it comes to education, as the state prioritises developing talent, said caretaker Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the state government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) reflected its approach to developing talent across all communities to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“We don’t play race here because we want everybody to participate in the new era. So, we recognise UEC, we don’t play racial (issues) here. We need people who have the knowledge, including the Chinese children who studied in UEC.

“Nothing wrong with UEC because UEC is also recognised by foreign universities,” he said at the Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak installation ceremony for 2025–2028 office bearers here last night.

He stressed that education is not only crucial to developing a skilled workforce but also to break the cycle of poverty.

“To fight poverty, you cannot fight poverty based on the normal approach. The only way is to give education to the family, the family’s children. That will break what we call the poverty cycle.”

With a population of about 2.6 million, Abang Johari said Sarawak needs to maximise its human capital to achieve its gross domestic product (GDP) target of RM282 billion by 2030, compared with approximately RM160 billion currently.

“We’ve got the resources, but we need the talent,” he stressed.

He said this required an education system capable of preparing Sarawakians for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), which is reshaping the skills needed in the modern economy.

Abang Johari also highlighted Mandarin proficiency as an economic advantage, particularly in expanding trade and business ties with China, a market of about 1.4 billion people.

He said the ability to communicate in Mandarin could benefit Sarawakians regardless of ethnicity, noting that more Bumiputera students are attending Chinese-medium schools and learning the language.

Such skills would enable them to communicate more effectively with Mandarin-speaking business partners and explore opportunities in international markets, he said.

He pointed out Sarawak’s harmonious relations among its diverse communities had enabled the state government to maintain political stability and focus on development.

Contrasting this with racial controversies elsewhere in the country, he referred to disputes over cultural practices, including the use of chopsticks, which he said would not become an issue in Sarawak.

“For Sarawak, thank God, we’ve got no differences among all communities.

“That’s why we have to oppose that sort of culture from coming to Sarawak because we are here to develop ourselves, and we must have a good system,” he said.

He stressed that preserving Sarawak’s multiracial harmony is essential to allowing the state to continue developing and creating opportunities for its people. — The Borneo Post