Why JPA Scholarship Spots for Sabah and Sarawak Students Were Doubled

Sarawak's Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, is calling on the federal government to step up its game. He wants Putrajaya to match the state's heavy investment in its people's future .

It's time for federal action

Dr Annuar pointed out that education is technically a federal responsibility. He argued that if Sarawak can pour so much effort and funding into education—even with limited constitutional power—the federal government should be doing at least the same, if not more .

A win for students

Following the tabling of Budget 2027 on 9 October 2026, Dr Annuar praised the federal government's decision to double the number of Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships for students from Sabah and Sarawak to 4,200 spots. He believes this is a great move to make sure students in both states have a fair shot at higher education .

Investing in our future

For Dr Annuar, it's not just about the money; it's about building a better future for everyone. He believes that consistent, long-term support is the only way to ensure Sarawak and the rest of the country continue to thrive. He sees the increase in scholarships as a basic necessity for the region's growth, not just a "nice-to-have" .