MIRI: Two Chinese Private Secondary Schools (SMPCs) in Miri received allocations from the state government totalling more than RM1.55 million.
The separate handover ceremonies, held recently at the Pei Min Secondary School and Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS), saw the former receive RM724,549 while the latter was allocated RM833,890.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said Sarawak’s policy of recognising Chinese education including the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has now entered its tenth year.
“This is not a temporary policy. It is part of Sarawak’s nation-building agenda. Education is the foundation of our nation-building,” he said in his speech during the ceremony.
He stressed that Chinese education in Sarawak is not exclusive to a single community, but is accessible to all Sarawakians regardless of race or background.
He noted that the allocations form part of the Sarawak government’s annual RM10 million provision for 14 Chinese Private Secondary Schools statewide, making Sarawak the only state in Malaysia to offer consistent and large-scale financial support for Chinese education.
Meanwhile, SM Pei Min board deputy director Ting Jack Sieng expressed appreciation for the continuous support, which he said has greatly helped the school enhance its learning environment to be safer, more advanced and more competitive.
He also welcomed the announcement of Sarawak’s free tertiary education policy starting in 2026, which will benefit UEC graduates on par with students from other education streams.
At RRSS, the school’s board director Datuk Seri Law Kiu Kiong said Sarawak’s recognition of the UEC is a historic milestone that opens wider educational pathways for students and reflects the state government’s inclusive approach to human capital development.
“This policy shows that education is not restricted by race, but is assessed based on ability and potential,” said Law.
