Budget 2027 boosts Sarawak’s education and rural air connectivity

KUCHING: Increased federal support for education and rural air connectivity under Budget 2027 has been welcomed as a boost for communities in Sarawak and Sabah.

Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said increasing Public Service Department (JPA) sponsorship offers to 4,200 places annually for students from Sarawak and Sabah was “not merely desirable but a necessity”.

He said the move would demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring students from both states had fair and equitable access to educational opportunities.

“After all, education falls primarily under the responsibility of the Federal Government. If Sarawak, with its limited constitutional jurisdiction over education, can make such a substantial commitment to investing in its people’s future, there is every reason to expect the Federal Government to match, if not surpass, that commitment,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted today (Oct 10).

Dr Annuar said Sarawak had demonstrated its commitment to human capital development through the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

“Investing in education is not merely about allocating funds. It is about investing in the future of our children, developing our human capital, and securing the long-term prosperity of Sarawak and Malaysia,” he said.

He said Sarawak had demonstrated its commitment through concrete action and that it was now time for the Federal Government to show the same commitment through tangible measures.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin welcomed the RM209-million allocation for Rural Air Services (RAS), saying the service played a vital role in Sarawak, particularly for communities in remote and interior areas.

“RAS plays a vital role in Sarawak, particularly for communities in remote and interior areas where air connectivity is essential for access to healthcare, education and other basic services.

“For many of these communities, RAS is not merely a means of transportation, but a vital lifeline,” he said.

Lee said that with AirBorneo now operating RAS, the priority was to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable air services for rural communities that depended on them.

He added that continued cooperation between the Federal and Sarawak Governments was essential to safeguarding rural air connectivity and ensuring communities in remote areas were not left behind.

When tabling Budget 2027 on Friday (Oct 9), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that JPA sponsorship offers for students born in Sabah and Sarawak would be doubled to 4,200 annually.

He also announced an allocation of RM209 million for Rural Air Services.