In remembrance of Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew
by Peter Boon · Borneo Post OnlineSIBU (Jan 3): On Jan 2, 2026, Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew would have reached the milestone age of 50.
Although fate granted him only 43 years of life, his vision, commitment, and public spirit left an enduring imprint on the educational landscape of Sibu and Central Sarawak.
His legacy lives on not merely in institutions of brick and mortar, but in generations of Sarawakians whose lives have been – and will continue to be – transformed through access to education made possible by his foresight and determination.
A man of vision, public purpose
Andrew belonged to a generation of leaders who understood that education was the most powerful instrument for social mobility, social cohesion, and nation-building.
At a time when Sarawak faced limited access to post-secondary and technical education, particularly outside Kuching, he recognised that the future of the state depended on nurturing local talents, reducing reliance on external centres, and providing Sarawakians with pathways to professional and technical excellence within their own homeland.
His involvement in education was never incidental.
It was driven by a deep conviction that Sarawak must educate its own people to govern, manage, innovate, and sustain its development, especially in regions beyond the state capital.
United College Sarawak: Laying the foundation
Among Andrew’s most significant contributions was his pivotal role in the establishment of United College Sarawak (UCS).
Conceived as a stepping stone for post-secondary education, UCS addressed a critical gap at a time when university opportunities were scarce, costly, and often geographically distant.
Through his leadership, advocacy, and organisational drive – together with the support of his father Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, and also the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew – sufficient funds were successfully raised from corporate leaders and public-spirited benefactors.
As a result, the UCS was established in 1997, initially operating from a modest six-shoplot campus in Sibu.
Despite its humble beginnings, UCS quickly emerged as:
• a platform for pre-university and professional preparation;
• a symbol of community-driven educational initiative, and;
• an early model of local participation in higher education development.
The college represented more than an academic institution; it embodied the belief that Sarawak could and should cultivate its own intellectual capital.
From UCS to Kolej Laila Taib
Subsequently, UCS was relocated to its present site, now known as Kolej Laila Taib (KLT).
In 2003, a 10-acre site at the old Sibu airport area was generously donated by Datuk Tufail Mahmud’s company for the construction of a permanent campus.
The KTS Group later funded and constructed a RM10-million campus for UCS.
The new campus was officially declared open by the then-Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, on June 29, 2005.
On March 1, 2010, the UCS was renamed Kolej Laila Taib, in honour of the late Datuk Patinggi Hajah Laila Taib, in recognition of her lifelong dedication, philanthropy, and service to the people of Sarawak.
The UCS was chosen to carry on Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib’s legacy due to its strong academic record and institutional achievements throughout its 12-year history under the capable leadership of Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew, prior to its renaming.
It must be emphasised that as the Chief Executive Officer of UCS, Andrew played an instrumental role in the establishment and subsequent development of the KLT.
Under his stewardship, the college expanded access to education through scholarships and inclusive admission pathways, serving as a vital bridge for students who might otherwise have been excluded from formal academic advancement.
His lifelong principle was clear and unwavering – education must not be the privilege of a few, but the opportunity of many.
University Technology Sarawak — Anticipating the future
Long before ‘technology-driven development’ became a policy catchphrase, Andrew understood the strategic importance of technical and applied education.
His contributions towards what would later evolve into University Technology Sarawak (UTS) demonstrated exceptional foresight.
He firmly believed that Sarawak’s future development would require:
• engineers, technologists, and applied scientists;
• institutions aligned with industry and infrastructure needs, and;
• locally-trained professionals capable of sustaining long-term growth
The establishment of a university in Sibu, serving central Sarawak, was a cause that he championed relentlessly.
During a parliamentary by-election visit in 2010, the then-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, suggested elevating the KLT to university status.
Andrew strongly objected, insisting instead that a separate, purpose-built university be established to serve the region.
He voluntarily took up the challenge, making numerous trips to Kuala Lumpur to engage officials and the Ministry of Higher Education.
His perseverance bore fruit when, on April 26, 2012, an official letter of invitation was issued permitting him and his committee to establish a university.
Formal approval was subsequently granted during the earth-breaking ceremony on Sept 16, 2012.
The university was officially declared open by Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Feb 4, 2014.
Today, UTS stands as a lasting testament to Andrew’s vision – one that directly linked education with Sarawak’s economic and technological advancement.
Sarawak Maritime Academy: Serving a maritime state
As a coastal and riverine state, Sarawak’s destiny has always been intertwined with the sea.
Andrew’s involvement in the Sarawak Maritime Academy, located on the former six-acre JKR site in Sibu, reflected his practical understanding of the state’s geographical and economic realities.
Through this initiative, he contributed to:
• professionalising the maritime sector;
• enhancing safety, navigation, and technical competence, and;
• creating career pathways aligned with Sarawak’s natural advantages.
This endeavour further underscored his belief that education must be relevant, purposeful, and responsive to local needs.
‘A vision interrupted, a legacy enduring’
Andrew passed away on Feb 10, 2019.
Before his passing, he had planned to establish a nursing college and an automotive workshop academy, aimed at further expanding Sarawak’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem.
At his funeral, the then-Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had described Andrew as a great visionary, and paid tribute to his immense contributions to higher education in Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was then-Chief Minister, hailed Andrew as a role model for the youths.
A legacy beyond his years
Although Andrew did not live to witness the full maturation of the institutions that he had helped nurture, his influence endures in their continued growth and relevance.
His life reminds us that lasting contributions are not measured by longevity, but by impact.
On this remembrance of his 50th birthday, we honour a man who:
• believed deeply in Sarawak’s potential;
• invested courageously in its people through education, and;
• helped lay enduring institutional foundations for future generations.
Andrew was, above all, a builder: of institutions, opportunities, and hope.
His dedication to education remains a guiding example for policymakers, educators, and community leaders alike.
As Sarawak continues its journey towards greater autonomy, technological advancement, and human capital development, his legacy serves as a quiet yet powerful reminder – that the future of a society is secured when it invests courageously in education.
May his contributions be remembered, and may his vision continue to inspire.
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Footnotes & Clarifications
1. Second Convocation Ceremony of UCTS
> During the Second Convocation Ceremony of University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS), the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Abdul Hakim, described Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh as the ‘Father of the University College of Technology Sarawak’.
2. Clarification by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh
> Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh subsequently clarified that both he and the then-Chief Minister served primarily as facilitators in the establishment of the university. He emphasised that the bulk of the conceptualisation, groundwork, coordination, and execution was carried out by the late Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew, whose leadership and perseverance were decisive in bringing the university into existence.