Senator Abun Sui Anyit said a strict approach towards meritocracy would not work in Sarawak due to the imbalance in the distribution of wealth across the state, Dayak Daily reported.

He said rural folk, particularly the Dayak, still lacked access to basic infrastructure like clean water supply, electricity, the internet and roads, putting them on an unequal footing compared with their urban counterparts.

Abun said targeted affirmative action was still needed under the state’s 2025 budget to uplift such communities and pave the way for a more balanced economic landscape.

“It is time for a comprehensive policy overhaul that ensures sustainable growth and gives rural populations the support needed to thrive alongside urban areas,” he said.

Last Saturday, Sarawak deputy education, innovation and talent development minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said admission into five state-owned universities will be based solely on meritocracy to pick the best of the best.

The five universities are the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.

To ensure rural students are admitted to these institutions, Annuar said Sarawak was upgrading educational facilities and allocating RM15 million annually to provide free tuition for Form 3 and Form 5 students.

This was applauded by several quarters, including former minister Zaid Ibrahim who said other states should emulate Sarawak.

Educationist Kua Kia Soong also welcomed Sarawak’s move but said affirmative action should be maintained for the less privileged communities, such as the Orang Asal.

Kua however said such affirmative action should be followed by specific goals, quotas and sunset clauses to prevent their abuse.