Sarawak plans to fund 80 medical places for Sarawakian students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), including 40 additional places expected from the next intake, Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said on Friday. The total combines an existing allocation of 40 with the extra places discussed with the university. According to the Premier, Yayasan Sarawak will bear the costs and students in the state-sponsored programme will not need to apply through UPU. The announcement was made at the Sarawak Premier Special Award and Sarawak Education Award ceremony in Kuching. Abang Johari said the state needed to train more doctors locally. He also said preparations were under way for a proposed medical faculty at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak in Sibu, including recruitment of teaching staff, which could take around two years. Details of eligibility and the application process for the UNIMAS places were not provided in the report.