KUCHING: Sarawak desires to provide free tertiary education to the people should the state have sufficient revenue in the future.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was part of why their state government was going to set up a sovereign wealth fund.
“As the state’s revenue is escalating, we want to put aside money for future generations through a sovereign prosperity fund.
“My intention is that 1 day we will have sufficient funds to provide free tertiary education in order to Sarawakians.
“Whether I can do it or not, I leave it to God, yet this is my aspirations, ” he mentioned when opening the new Limbang Museum in the northern Sarawak town of Limbang on Thursday (Aug 4).
Abang Johari said he had stopped at Norway, Singapore and Britain to study their own models of managing sovereign wealth funds.
He said Sarawak’s approach would be tailored to the state’s economic climate.
A Bill to determine the sovereign wealth fund is anticipated to be tabled within the Sarawak Legislative Assembly in November.
On the new Limbang Museum, Abang Johari said it would not just be a visitor attraction but a place associated with reference for academicians researching Limbang’s background and development.
“The museum may display Limbang’s heritage through artefacts and photographs which show the neighborhood culture and way of living.
“It will also be a reference for academic research on which is happening in Limbang and its historical story, ” he mentioned.
On a private note, Abang Johari said the art gallery was located on the site of the older government quarters within Limbang where he was created on Aug 4, 1950.
“So I have a personal connection with the museum, ” he said, incorporating that it was an honor to open it on his 72nd birthday.
The RM6. 4mil museum has two galleries showcasing Limbang’s administration and growth from the Brooke era to current times.