THE STAR – Sarawak wants to provide free tertiary education to its people should the state have sufficient revenue in the future.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was part of why the state government was planning to set up a sovereign wealth fund.
“As the state’s revenue is increasing, we want to put aside funds for future generations through a sovereign wealth fund.
“My intention is that one day we will have sufficient funds to provide free tertiary education to Sarawakians.
“Whether I can do it or not, I leave it to Allah the Almighty, but this is my ambition,” he said when opening the new Limbang Museum in the northern Sarawak town of Limbang yesterday.
Abang Johari said he had visited Norway, Singapore and Britain to study their models of managing sovereign wealth funds.
He said Sarawak’s approach would be tailored to the state’s economy.
A Bill to establish the sovereign wealth fund is expected to be tabled in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly in November.
On the new Limbang Museum, Abang Johari said it would not only be a visitor attraction but a place of reference for academicians researching Limbang’s history and development.