Yayasan Sarawak

What Yayasan Sarawak does

Yayasan Sarawak is a Sarawak state statutory body established on 27 May 1971 under the Sarawak Foundation Ordinance and wholly owned by the Sarawak State Government. It provides education financial assistance — scholarships, grants, and repayable loans — to Sarawakian students pursuing education from secondary school through postgraduate levels, both domestically and abroad. Core programs include the Sarawak Foundation Tun Taib Scholarship, YBSTAR, the UNIMAS Special Medical Program (40 students annually), the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) covering 64 courses across five partner universities, the Local Scholarship (RM800/year), and overseas education loans of up to RM400,000 per student over four years. The foundation also administers government-funded initiatives such as school uniform assistance, free school transportation, book vouchers, laptop distribution, and the Special Financial Assistance program for tertiary students from lower-income families, alongside loan repayment services with performance-based incentives (up to 75% forgiveness for CGPA 3.50+). Technology infrastructure consists of online application portals (aPPLY@YS, my-Yayasan), a YS Student Mobile App on Android/iOS, integrations with SarawakID single sign-on, S Pay Global disbursements, PayBills Sarawak for loan repayment, and a TALIKHIDMAT complaint system.

The foundation's business model is government-funded rather than commercial: it does not charge students for scholarships and grants, while education loans carry defined post-graduation repayment schedules. Commercial returns flow back through wholly-owned subsidiary Sanjung Etika Sdn. Bhd. and the 2026-vintage Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) JV (with Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad), supporting education initiatives. Distribution spans Kuching headquarters, a Kuala Lumpur branch, and the Sarawak Foundation House in London, supplemented by the Yayasan Sarawak Education Group (YSEG) consortium and FTES Education Expos across at least 17 Sarawak districts. Additional subsidiaries include Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS), Sarawak Foundation Co-Operative Societies Berhad (KOYASA), and the YES Alumni network for former beneficiaries. The foundation's Chairman is the sitting Premier of Sarawak, and its Director is Datu Mohamad Junaidi bin Mohidin.

Name

Yayasan Sarawak

Legal name

Yayasan Sarawak

Website

https://yayasansarawak.org.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Yayasan Sarawak is a Sarawak state statutory body, established in 1971 and wholly owned by the Sarawak State Government, that provides scholarships, education loans, and financial assistance programs to Sarawakian students pursuing studies locally and abroad across secondary, tertiary, and postgraduate levels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Finance Services (6199), Services-Social Services (8300), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM), In-School Tuition & Fee Financing (Short-term/Bridge) (FSAKAEAG), Academic Tutoring Services (Subject-Specific & General) (EDAJALAA)

Keywords

• Education scholarships
• Education loans
• Student financial assistance
• Education foundation services
• Government student aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuching

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Education Financial Assistance: Yayasan Sarawak operates as a government-funded foundation providing scholarships, grants, and education loans to students. The foundation does not charge students for scholarships and grants. Education loans are provided with repayment schedules after graduation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Yayasan Sarawak provides education financial assistance including scholarships, education loans, and grants to Sarawakian students pursuing studies at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels both within Malaysia and abroad. The foundation also delivers complementary student support services such as book vouchers, school uniform assistance, free school transportation, laptop distribution, special financial assistance for IPT students, and loan repayment management with academic performance-based incentives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yayasan Sarawak Education Group (YSEG): A group comprising education institutions under the foundation including Curtin University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Technology Sarawak, Kolej Laila Taib, i-CATS University College, and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.

Products and services

• Scholarship Services Comprehensive scholarship programs for Sarawakian students from secondary school through postgraduate studies, including the Sarawak Foundation Tun Taib Scholarship, YBSTAR, UNIMAS Special Medical Program (40 students annually), Local Scholarships (BTYS, RM800/year), and Bursari BP40. Targeted at students of Sarawakian origin who demonstrate financial need or academic merit in priority fields.
• Education Loan Services Loan programs for eligible Sarawakian students pursuing higher education: Local Education Scholarship Loan, Overseas Education Loan (up to RM100,000/year and RM400,000 across a 4-year study period), and Technical Training Scholarship Loan (up to RM10,000/year at panel institutions). Loans are repayable after graduation with CGPA- and early-repayment-based incentives.
• Programs and Assistance Various student support programs including the Student Exchange Program, Community Education Program, HiPERS (Sekolah Luar Bandar Berprestasi Tinggi), English Enhancement Program (EEP), Free School Transportation Service, School Tuition Program, Sarawak Premier's Special Award (AKPS), Anugerah Graduan Cemerlang, and YS-JPNS Collaboration Programs. Targeted at Sarawakian students needing supplementary academic and developmental support.
• Sarawak Government Initiatives Government-funded initiatives administered by Yayasan Sarawak for Sarawakian students: Admission Assistance to Tertiary/Technical Education (RM1,000 in Sarawak / RM1,500 outside Sarawak), Book Voucher Programme (RM500 via S Pay Global), School Uniform Assistance (RM200 voucher), Free Laptop distribution, Free School Transportation Service, and Special Financial Assistance for IPT students (RM1,200 per semester). Targeted at students from B40/M40 families.
• Loan Repayment Services Loan repayment management for Sarawakian student borrowers with multiple payment methods including bank counters, online banking, JomPay, EPF withdrawals, and PayBills Sarawak. Includes CGPA-based incentives (75% for CGPA 3.50+, 50% for CGPA 3.00-3.49) and a 25% lump sum payment incentive, with enforcement mechanisms including legal action and CTOS listing for non-payment.
• YS Student Mobile App Mobile application available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store) that enables Sarawakian students to manage scholarship and loan applications, payments, and loan repayments, and provides direct communication and information dissemination from the foundation. Targeted at current and prospective Yayasan Sarawak scholars and borrowers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 students selected annually for UNIMAS Special Medical Program to increase doctors in Sarawak
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated BerhadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2026Yayasan Sarawak, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sanjung Etika Sdn. Bhd., signed MoU with Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad for the establishment of Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. This strategic partnership connects the education sector with industrial development, where commercial investment returns support education initiatives including scholarships, education assistance, and talent development for Sarawakians.
• Sarawak Skills (CENTEXS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Strategic relationship between Yayasan Sarawak and Sarawak Skills continues to strengthen through coordination meetings. The partnership focuses on sharing guidelines and service procedures to ensure organized and effective implementation of education initiatives for target groups.
• The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Yayasan Sarawak received a courtesy visit from MICPA CEO. The meeting discussed potential strategic cooperation in strengthening human capital development, professional competency enhancement, and initiatives benefiting education and talent development in Sarawak.
• Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026SCOPE participated in the meeting with MICPA at Yayasan Sarawak, discussing potential collaboration for professional development initiatives.
• Curtin University MalaysiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Curtin University Malaysia is a key partner institution under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), offering 64 courses. The university participates in education expos and student recruitment activities organized by Yayasan Sarawak.
• Swinburne University of Technology SarawakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak is a key partner under FTES, participating in education expos and student exchange programs. MoU signed with UTS for academic programme collaboration, research initiatives, and staff/student mobility.
• University of Technology Sarawak (UTS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026UTS is a key FTES partner institution. MoU signed with Swinburne for academic programme collaboration, research initiatives, and staff/student mobility. Witnessed by Yayasan Sarawak Director.
• Kolej Laila Taib (KLT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026KLT is a partner institution under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme, participating in education expos organized by Yayasan Sarawak for student recruitment.
• i-CATS University CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026i-CATS University College is a partner institution under FTES, offering education opportunities to Sarawak students through the scholarship and assistance programs.
• Yayasan Sarawak Education Group (YSEG)coreOthers · 1 July 2026YSEG is a consortium comprising Curtin, Swinburne, UTS, KLT, i-CATS, and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak, jointly promoting education opportunities and FTES schemes at exhibitions.
• PETRONASminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026PETRONAS collaborated with Yayasan Sarawak for the Student Exchange Program Scholarship, providing sponsorship for student placement offers at MARA Junior Science Colleges and similar institutions.
• Sarawak State Education Department (JPN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Collaboration programs between YS-JPNS (Yayasan Sarawak and Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sarawak) to implement critical special programs without allocation in annual budgets.
• Sanjung Etika Sdn. Bhd.coreOthers · 1 July 2026Wholly-owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak that manages commercial investments including the Gardenia Bakeries partnership, generating returns to support education initiatives.
• Malaysia Maritime Academy Sdn. Bhd. (ALAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2024MoU between Sarawak Foundation and Malaysia Maritime Academy Sdn. Bhd. along with UTS and Malaysian Marine Academy for joint initiatives in maritime education and training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Yayasan Tun Razak: Yayasan Tun Razak is a Malaysian education-focused foundation providing scholarships and bursaries to Malaysian students at home and abroad. Comparable to Yayasan Sarawak in mission (education funding) and in administering both local and overseas scholarship streams.
• Yayasan Kelantan: Yayasan Kelantan is another Malaysian state-level education and welfare foundation. It mirrors Yayasan Sarawak's structure — government-backed, scholarship-driven, and focused on residents of a single state — making it a close functional peer despite smaller scale.
• Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN): PTPTN is Malaysia's national higher education fund, providing education loans to all eligible Malaysian students. It is a direct functional peer: both organizations extend education loans with structured repayment, serve tertiary students, and operate centralized application portals at national/state scale.
• Yayasan Johor: Yayasan Johor is the Johor state foundation delivering scholarships, education assistance, and welfare support to Johor students. It is a direct peer under the same Malaysian state-foundation archetype as Yayasan Sarawak.
• Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA): MARA is a Malaysian statutory body providing education loans, scholarships, and training to Bumiputera students. It is the most direct peer to Yayasan Sarawak, operating the same loan-and-scholarship model for tertiary education across Malaysia, with similar institutional infrastructure for application processing and loan recovery.
• Yayasan Sabah: Yayasan Sabah is the sister state-level statutory foundation in Sabah, providing education scholarships, loans, and welfare assistance to Sabahan students. It is structurally identical to Yayasan Sarawak in mandate, governance, and operating model, differing only in geography and portfolio scale.
• Yayasan Pahang: Yayasan Pahang is the Pahang state foundation providing education assistance and scholarships. It operates under the same Malaysian state-ordinance framework as Yayasan Sarawak with comparable scholarship and grant programs targeting state residents.
• Yayasan Terengganu: Yayasan Terengganu is a state-level foundation providing education scholarships and assistance to Terengganu students. It shares the same state-ordinance mandate, scholarship-plus-loan model, and Malaysian state-government ownership structure as Yayasan Sarawak.

Emerging players

• Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman (YTAR): Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman is a private education foundation providing scholarships primarily to deserving Malaysian undergraduates. While smaller in scale and privately funded, it targets the same student base and education-financing use cases as Yayasan Sarawak's scholarship products.

Regional players

• Mendaki Foundation (Singapore): Mendaki is a Singaporean Malay-Muslim self-help group administering education bursaries, scholarships, and tuition subsidies. It is functionally analogous to Yayasan Sarawak — same target segment (Malay/Malaysian students), same education-financing toolkit, same community-development mandate — but operates across the Causeway rather than within Malaysia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPjw2nl2nR5QujVEvLl1XYw
• Facebookfacebook.com/630639269245462
• Xx.com/yayasansarawak
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yayasan-sarawak

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Yayasan Sarawak