Don’t create confusion over FTES entry requirements: PBB Youth deputy chief

KUCHING: Sarawak’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) aims to equip young people for a competitive global economy while upholding national-language requirements.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth deputy chief Aaron Nagai said critics questioning the scheme’s Bahasa Melayu (BM) requirements had confused university admission criteria with graduation standards.

“Those attacking Sarawak over its FTES admission policies are wildly confused.

“They have conflated university admission requirements with graduation requirements, turning a straightforward distinction into a controversy over Bahasa Melayu,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 15).

Nagai stressed that widening access to higher education did not mean abandoning BM or removing applicable national-language requirements.

He said national identity and global competitiveness must coexist, pointing to the importance of English in scientific research, technology, international business and cross-border collaboration.

“The choice, therefore, should never be between Bahasa Melayu and English.

“It should be about ensuring our young people have the capabilities to succeed in both their national and international environments,” he said.

The debate follows Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee’s explanation that UEC holders do not need a BM pass to enter Sarawak’s four participating state-owned tertiary institutions or qualify for FTES.

Dr Annuar subsequently clarified that FTES is a funding scheme and does not change existing admission or graduation requirements.

Students without the required BM qualification must take and pass Bahasa Kebangsaan A under the compulsory general studies component before graduating.

Nagai urged stakeholders to focus on building an education system that prepares Sarawak’s youth to succeed in a rapidly changing global landscape.