KUCHING — The Sarawak Malay Cultural Foundation Charitable Trust (AKYBMS) convened its first Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of the year on Thursday at Wisma Sumber Alam, focusing on administrative affairs and the strategic development of the Wisma Melayu project.
The session was chaired by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who also serves as the Chairman of the AKYBMS Board. Among the key items discussed was the progress of the Wisma Melayu construction project, which is poised to become a significant cultural landmark that reinforces and promotes Malay identity in Sarawak.
The board also welcomed Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, as a newly appointed BoT member. His inclusion adds further depth and experience to the foundation’s leadership.
Other distinguished members in attendance included Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Advisor to the Ministry for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais; along with Datuk Wahab Abdul Aziz and Datu Dr. Sanib Said.
The meeting began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah to honour the late Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, wife of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
The AKYBMS continues to play a central role in preserving and enhancing the Malay cultural legacy in Sarawak. The development of Wisma Melayu is a key initiative under its mandate, envisioned as a hub for cultural, educational, and community engagement.
With firm leadership and broad institutional support, the foundation remains focused on initiatives that uphold cultural heritage while adapting to modern-day aspirations of the Malay community in the state.
