In a statement, the Sarawak education, science and technological research ministry responded to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Teo Kok Seong’s view that the plan would go against the Education Act 1996.

Teo had argued the international schools, which would be run by Sanjung Services Sdn Bhd, would still be regarded as government schools because Sanjung Services is a statutory body under the state government.

The Sarawak ministry contends that although Sanjung Services is wholly-owned by Yayasan Sarawak, it was not a statutory body but a private company incorporated under the Companies Act 2016.

However, Yayasan Sarawak is a statutory body established under an ordinance enacted by the state legislature.

“So Sanjung Services and Yayasan Sarawak are separate legal entities,” said the statement.

The ministry also said the Education Act defines a “government educational institution’’ as one established and fully maintained by the government, meaning the federal government, represented by the education minister of Malaysia.

“Thus the establishment of international schools by Sanjung Services Sdn Bhd does not qualify the schools as government schools,” it said.

“Section 15 of the Education Act 1996 states that international schools are exempted from the national education system and, as such, are not required to implement the national curriculum.”

The ministry reiterated its concern that the state’s students were lagging behind and are open to discussing ways to improve the education system with relevant experts.

“If he (Teo) is sincere and equally concerned about our schools, we are happy to have discussions with him,” the ministry said.“If he is unable to come, he can contact us and we will be happy to entertain him, if he has any further inquiries, to assist him in his next response.”