BM pass not compulsory for UEC holders: Sagah

A pass in Bahasa Melayu (BM) is not compulsory for Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders seeking admission to Sarawak’s state-owned universities under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said eligibility remained subject to the academic and programme requirements of participating universities.

“Based on the current admission requirements provided by the participating universities, a pass in Bahasa Melayu is not stipulated as a compulsory entry requirement for UEC holders,” he said when responding to See Chee How (IND-Batu Lintang) during question-and-answer session on Tuesday (Oct 13).

Sagah said UEC holders generally had to have five Grade Bs for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes, with certain courses requiring subjects such as Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Physical Science.

Applicants must also meet the relevant English language requirements and other programme prerequisites.

As of June 2026, he said, 192 Sarawakian UEC holders were benefiting from tuition fee coverage under FTES.

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus accounted for 137 students, followed by University of Technology Sarawak with 33, Curtin University Malaysia with 21 and i-CATS University College with one.

On internship opportunities, Sagah said UEC holders under the scheme would receive equal access to practical training during their studies.

“UEC students enrolled under FTES will have the same access to internship and industrial placement opportunities as other students from participating universities, regardless of their UEC status,” he said.