Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Sarawak waives Malay requirement for UEC students seeking free tertiary education
Sarawak's deputy minister has confirmed that holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) will not need to pass Bahasa Malaysia to access tuition-free places at four state institutions. However, prospective students are advised to have strong English proficiency, as it remains the primary language of instruction.
LSN Malaysia ·
UEC certificate holders seeking to pursue higher education at state-funded institutions in Sarawak will not face barriers due to Malay language requirements, according to state deputy minister Dr Annuar Rapaee. The clarification addresses concerns among non-Malay-stream students about accessibility to free tertiary education opportunities in the state. The decision aligns with Sarawak's commitment to providing inclusive educational pathways for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Dr Annuar emphasised that while Bahasa Malaysia proficiency is not mandatory for admission, prospective students should possess a strong command of English. English serves as the primary medium of instruction across the four designated state institutions offering free tertiary education. This recommendation underscores the importance of communication competency in academic settings, particularly for students transitioning from Chinese-medium secondary education to tertiary-level study. The move reflects Sarawak's pragmatic approach to balancing educational accessibility with academic standards, recognising the linguistic diversity of its student population whilst maintaining quality assurance across publicly-funded institutions.