TEBEDU: Twenty-two students from Sarawak’s community learning centres (CLCs) have been awarded the 2026 GEMA CITA (Generasi Maju Cinta Tanah Air) Scholarship to continue their secondary education in Indonesia.
The students, children of Indonesian migrant workers in Sarawak, departed for Indonesia following a send-off ceremony officiated by Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Dr Abdullah Zulkifli, at the Tebedu-Entikong Border Crossing on Wednesday (July 8).
The scholarship recipients come from nine CLCs across Sarawak, including CLC Ladang 3 SPAD, CLC Ladang Galasah, CLC Ladang Ladong (TKB Ladang Ladong), CLC Retus Rantau, CLC Wilmar Saremas, CLC Wilmar Segarmas, CLC Rinwood Pelita (Mukah), CLC Ladang Rajawali and CLC Ladang Ladong (TKB Melur Gemilang).
They will pursue studies at senior high schools, vocational high schools and Islamic senior high schools across six provinces in Indonesia – East Java (six students), Central Java (six), the Special Region of Yogyakarta (three), West Java (three), Banten (two) and South Sulawesi (two).
Abdullah said the scholarship represented both a trust and an opportunity for the students to develop their potential and contribute positively to society and their nation in the future.
“Education is the wings that will carry you to distant places or bring you home to serve your communities. Strengthen those wings by focusing on self-development and mastering knowledge through education,” he said in his remark.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Kuching said the programme was made possible through collaboration among the Indonesian government, the Sarawak government, CLC teachers, plantation companies managing the centres, receiving schools and parents.
It also expressed appreciation to the Sarawak government for its continued support and cooperation in facilitating the operation of CLCs, which provide educational opportunities for the children of Indonesian migrant workers in the state.
KJRI Kuching has been supporting the implementation of CLC education by assisting with immigration documentation, providing pre-departure orientation and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure students’ smooth transition to their receiving schools in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government remains committed to expanding access to education for its children abroad through the strengthening of CLCs, provision of educational services and facilitation of further studies in Indonesia.
Besides the GEMA CITA recipients, several other Grade IX graduates from Sarawak CLCs are also returning to Indonesia independently to continue their education.
