By Ling Hui & Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 12: The decade-old Anak Sarawak Awards, also Malaysia’s first business events award program, will be replaced with a bigger and bolder Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards that complements Sarawak’s vision to become Malaysia and Borneo’s legacy capital for business events.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the new award program will honour business event leaders with a passion for excellence in legacy leadership.
“We can no longer confine our thinking to just Sarawak. We must adopt a broader perspective that incorporates the opportunities present in Borneo.
“Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara is already developing and once it emerges, our business events industry should be ready to seize opportunities.
“The Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards will encompass fresh categories and welcome nominations from all over the world who meet the qualifying criteria,” he said when officiating at the 10th Anak Sarawak Awards presentation ceremony held at a local hotel here tonight.
Abang Johari said Sarawak must capitalise on the untapped potential of Borneo and secure opportunities ahead of competitors in order to establish itself as Borneo’s trade capital.
He believed that legacy impact is going to be more important than ever in establishing Sarawak as a leader in Borneo in order to benefit from the region’s expected rapid growth and rising prominence.
“To support these measures, the Sarawak government is already planning to develop new infrastructure. Borneo Convention Centre Kuching will be expanded; Miri will have its own convention centre, and Sarawak is establishing its own airline to improve our connectivity around the region.
“We will also expand the manpower at Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), who will drive these changes. The agency will take on a critical role and funding will be increased to support sustainable, purpose-driven business events,” he added.
Among those also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman.— DayakDaily
