By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 16: Sarawak’s youth have marked this year’s Sarawak Youth Week with a Malaysia Book of Records recognition after successfully bringing together the largest preloved community.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister and Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the achievement demonstrated what young people could accomplish when given the space, trust and support to lead.
He said the recognition was among the highlights of Sarawak Youth Week 2026, which aims to provide a platform for young people across the State to develop their potential, skills, creativity and leadership.
“This achievement proves that when youth are given space, trust and support, they are capable of creating successes that not only bring pride to Sarawak, but also inspire more young people to dare to try, innovate and contribute to the development of the State,” he said in his welcoming speech at the Sarawak Youth Week 2026 celebration at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre yesterday.
Abdul Karim said the annual event was more than just a gathering, serving as a platform to strengthen networks, build confidence and create greater opportunities for young people to grow and contribute as partners in Sarawak’s development.
He said this year’s theme, “Belia Aspirasi Kita” (Youth, Our Aspirations), retained from last year, reflected the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to making youth aspirations an integral part of the State’s development agenda.
“We believe that youth are not merely the inheritors of the future, but strategic partners of the Government in shaping Sarawak’s future today.
“The ideas, energy, creativity and passion of our youth are among Sarawak’s greatest assets. They are the driving force behind our efforts to build a progressive, innovative and globally competitive Sarawak,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the 2026 programme had been designed to give youth opportunities to explore their potential, acquire new skills, broaden their horizons and prepare for future opportunities and challenges.
Among the main programmes are Youth Champion, Youth Expo, Youth X-Tive and Youth Marketplace, covering areas such as leadership, employability, entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and community participation.
He said Youth Expo also exposed participants to career opportunities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways, while other activities included Youth Combat, basic emergency response training, sports, volunteer activities and hands-on creative workshops.
These included perfume-making, painting, dance and sape workshops, among others.
He also acknowledged the contributions of government agencies, youth organisations, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, industry players, local communities and facilitators in making the celebration possible.
Among the strategic partners were SABERKAS Sarawak and its branches, AZAM Sarawak, MacTelier Studio, Persatuan Sape Kuching, BioVerde Technologies and Aqademi X.
At the event, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the Sarawak Youth Awards 2026 to the winners, with Muhammad Khairullah Muhammad Marzidi, an academic lecturer at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Sarawak Campus, taking the Male Icon category.
The Female Icon category was won by Ir Ts Dr Lidyana Roslan, a Sarawak personality in the digital economy, while the Youth Association category was won by Kelab Belia Permata Halaman Kurung Sian (Berlian Sarawak), with its president Demanic Chupong Jumput receiving the award. JCI Sarikei, represented by its president Wong Siew Wu, was named first runner-up in the category. — DayakDaily
