Sarawak UEC Education: BM Pass Not Required

Sarawak has confirmed that Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders are eligible for its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) without needing to pass Bahasa Melayu. Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee clarified that admission depends on academic qualifications and programme requirements at four participating institutions. As of 30 June 2026, 192 UEC students were receiving full tuition fee coverage under the scheme.

Sarawak Confirms UEC Holders Do Not Need To Pass Bahasa Melayu For Free University Education

Sarawak has clarified that students holding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) do not need to pass Bahasa Melayu to qualify for the state’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), provided they meet the admission requirements of participating universities. Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee made the clarification during a question-and-answer session at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on 13 October 2026. He was responding to Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who sought clarification on whether UEC holders were required to meet Bahasa Melayu proficiency requirements before receiving free tertiary education. Annuar explained that the scheme is open to eligible students at four participating institutions: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University Malaysia and i-CATS University College. While Bahasa Melayu is not a compulsory entry requirement for UEC holders under the current arrangements, students must still satisfy the academic and programme-specific conditions imposed by their respective institutions. The clarification establishes that eligibility for Sarawak’s scheme is determined by the participating universities’ admission criteria rather than a separate Bahasa Melayu passing requirement.

Five Grade Bs Generally Required, With English Proficiency Still Important

Although UEC holders are not required to pass Bahasa Melayu, admission to the participating institutions is not automatic. According to Annuar, applicants seeking entry into bachelor’s degree programmes generally need at least five Grade Bs in their UEC examinations. Certain programmes may impose additional subject prerequisites, including Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Physical Science, depending on the field of study. Students may also need to meet specific English-language proficiency requirements, as English serves as the main medium of instruction at the four participating institutions. This means applicants must still demonstrate that they are academically prepared for their chosen programmes, even without a compulsory Bahasa Melayu pass. The FTES currently covers 64 eligible courses, and UEC holders who successfully secure admission to one of those programmes do not need to submit a separate application for tuition fee coverage. However, the benefit applies only to courses included under the scheme and remains subject to the relevant eligibility conditions. The distinction is important because the absence of a Bahasa Melayu requirement does not mean all UEC holders automatically qualify for free university education.

192 UEC Students Already Receiving Free Tuition Under Sarawak’s Scheme

The state government also revealed that 192 UEC holders were already benefiting from full tuition fee coverage under FTES as of 30 June 2026. Of these students, 137 were enrolled at Swinburne Sarawak, 33 at UTS, 21 at Curtin Malaysia and one at i-CATS University College. Annuar said UEC students would also receive the same treatment as other students when seeking industrial training opportunities, provided they successfully secured placements in the relevant industries. He explained that Sarawak’s approach reflects its commitment to expanding access to higher education for eligible Sarawakians regardless of their ethnic background or previous schooling system. The state has recognised the UEC for certain purposes since 2016, including admission to state-linked higher education institutions and eligibility for Yayasan Sarawak education loans. However, Sarawak’s policy should not be confused with nationwide recognition of the qualification for admission to federal public universities, which operates under separate requirements. For eligible Sarawakian students, the latest clarification provides greater certainty about the academic pathway available through the state’s free tertiary education initiative.

.

HotNews : Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina Rodriguez Are Finally Married After Nearly 10 Years Together

_________________________________________________________________________

SOURCES

Primary report: Free Malaysia Today
Event: Sarawak’s clarification on UEC holders’ eligibility for the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES)
Location: Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Kuching, Malaysia
Source material: Statements by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on 13 October 2026, with supporting reporting from The Borneo Post and Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS)
Status: UEC holders are eligible for FTES without a compulsory Bahasa Melayu pass, subject to academic, institutional and programme-specific requirements. As of 30 June 2026, 192 UEC students were receiving full tuition fee coverage.

DISCLAIMER: NasiLemakDaily is not responsible for any comments written by readers. Please think carefully before posting. We are also unable to monitor every comment posted. All comments are your own responsibility.

Watch Video :

By – Tarziman — 04:49PM
An independent writer who enjoys finding interesting angles in everyday stories. He believes even the simplest moments can be worth sharing when they’re told in a clear, relaxed and easy-to-understand way.