Sarawak lifts Malay language requirement for UEC holders receiving free university places
Sarawak officials said UEC graduates can enroll in four local universities without passing Malay, provided they meet academic and English standards.
In a Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Q&A, officials clarified that holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) are not obliged to pass a Malay language test to qualify for free tertiary education at four participating institutions: Universiti Teknologi Swinburne Kampus Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, Universiti Curtin Malaysia and Kolej Universiti i-CATS. Admission hinges on meeting each university's academic entry standards, typically five B grades, and any additional subject requirements such as mathematics or physics, while English proficiency remains mandatory as it is the medium of instruction.
Applicants do not need to submit a separate request for the FTES funding scheme. By 30 June, 192 UEC students had secured full tuition coverage, with 137 at Swinburne Sarawak, 33 at UTS, 21 at Curtin Malaysia, and one at i-CATS. The policy aims to ensure equal higher-education opportunities for qualified Sarawak youths, supporting social mobility and poverty reduction in rural areas.
Why it matters
The decision expands access to free higher education for UEC graduates, promoting equity and social mobility in Sarawak.
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