TAWAU: State Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (pic) has insisted that Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Tawau Campus must be maintained as a fully functioning UiTM campus, preserving its institutional identity, academic role, and service to the local community.
Responding to the Higher Education Ministry’s ongoing operational rationalisation review mentioned by Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Nizam noted that plans to utilise the facilities as an educational hub involving other institutions still raise questions about the campus's actual future despite assurances it will not close.
Nizam, who is also Apas Assemblyman, said the current enrolment figure of 254 students as of Sept 30, 2026 should not be the sole metric for evaluating the campus's necessity or utilisation, urging a comprehensive assessment of actual academic facilities rather than accommodation capacity alone.
Highlighting that the campus has served Bumiputera students from Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, and across Sabah's East Coast since 1996 by sparing low-income families heavy relocation and living costs, he stressed that its establishment was the result of continuous efforts by past local leaders and the State Government.
He urged the Ministry to provide a detailed explanation of its assessment criteria and a clear guarantee that UiTM Tawau's identity will not be eroded, while consulting the State Government, UiTM management, academics, alumni, and the local community on any plans.
