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KOTA KINABALU — The Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS) today urged Parti Warisan to make the establishment of a Sabah State University one of its main agendas when it returns to lead the state government.
According to Johnny S.H. Liew, CAMOS Coordinator for Kota Kinabalu, this initiative would not only restore Sabah’s educational rights but also serve as a symbol of true autonomy and social justice in shaping the state’s future.
“Sarawak has successfully established the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), which is fully owned and managed by the state government. It is time for Sabah to have its own university that reflects the values, identity, and needs of its people,” he said.
Johnny emphasised that the proposed state-owned university must be founded on the principle of free education fully funded by the Sabah State Government, as an investment in the future of Sabah’s younger generation.
“No Sabahan child should be left behind because of poverty. If Sarawak can have its own university, Sabah can too — with the right political will and sincerity,” he asserted.
He added that the university should adopt a more inclusive and equitable education policy that includes:
- Recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as a legitimate qualification for admission;
- Offering courses aligned with Sabah’s economic needs, such as green energy, agrotechnology, maritime economy, and sustainable tourism;
- Strengthening local research and innovation to support the state’s development; and
- Promoting unity in Sabah through an education system that celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity.
“We cannot continue to depend on education policies from Putrajaya that often fail to understand Sabah’s realities. Warisan must fight for education autonomy so that every Sabahan — whether from rural, urban, or independent school backgrounds — has equal opportunities to succeed,” he added.
Johnny stressed that providing free education should not be seen as a burden but as a strategic investment to eradicate poverty and drive the state’s progress.
“This initiative is not merely an education reform — it is a continuation of the MA63 struggle to restore Sabah’s right to determine its own future,” he concluded.
Johnny S.H. Liew
Coordinator, Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)
Kota Kinabalu
