The 60th Diamond Jubilee of SMK Long Lama brought alumni, teachers, and community leaders together for a warm reunion at Meritz Hotel, Miri. The night felt less like a formal function and more like a homecoming for generations shaped by the school in the heart of Baram.
The programme opened with prayers and a welcome from organising chairperson Margaret Uding Nawan. Dennis Ngau, assemblyman for N.77 Telang Usan and patron of the Alumni Association, followed with remarks on how the school has shaped students from rural Sarawak for six decades.
In his keynote speech, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg spoke about education as the backbone of progress. He tied the school’s history to the state’s wider push to improve access to learning in rural districts, where opportunity often depends on how far a student travels for school.
He also detailed the Free Tertiary Education Scheme set to start in February 2026. Under this plan, eligible Sarawakian students pursue undergraduate studies at state-owned institutions without tuition fees.
These include Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College. A monthly stipend forms part of the plan to ease living costs and remove financial strain from families.
As part of the celebration, the premier announced RM150,000 in support for the school’s future needs. RM60,000 goes directly to the school, while RM45,000 each supports the Alumni Association and the Parent-Teacher Association. The funds strengthen facilities and learning programmes for current students.
The evening continued with the launch of the Jubilee logo, a cake-cutting ceremony, souvenir exchanges, and a large group photo that captured teachers beside former students who now serve across Sarawak.
Among the guests were Lee Kim Shin, Ripin Lamat, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, and Anyi Ngau.
The Jubilee also reflected broader efforts across Miri and Baram to raise the standard of rural education. Programmes such as the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi initiative, introduced at the school in 2025, have equipped more than 1,000 students with digital skills and hands-on exposure to technology.
More than a celebration of history, the night showed how a rural school continues to shape the future. Six decades on, SMK Long Lama stands as proof that consistent effort in education changes lives, families, and entire communities.
