KUCHING – Government representatives, community stakeholders and young people gathered at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre on Sunday for the Sarawak Urban Forum 2.0 (SUF 2.0) Stakeholder Assembly, with discussions focusing on urban resilience, collaboration and the role of communities in shaping future cities.
Organised by Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU), the assembly was held under the theme “Future-Ready Cities: Building a Resilient Future – Collaborate, Adapt and Thrive”. The event formed part of the four-day Sarawak Urban Forum 2.0, which runs from 24 to 27 October at the same venue.
The opening ceremony took place in the Damai and Santubong Beach Room on the second floor of the event centre. Those attending included DBKU Mayor Dato Haji Hilmy bin Haji Othman and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Dr Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi.
Proceedings included the national and Sarawak anthems, a prayer, a welcoming address by the mayor and a screening of a video featuring the DBKU Community Council. Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of cooperation and community participation in urban development.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sarawak’s Mansang Era Force (AZAM) in recognition of their contributions. The opening ceremony concluded with a group photograph and luncheon.
A separate stakeholder assembly involving the DBKU Youth Community Council and the Young Mayor Programme ran from 9am to 5pm in the Santubong Room on Level 2 of the venue. The session provided a platform for young participants to exchange views, identify community needs and discuss potential contributions to future urban planning.
The youth programme featured several activities designed to encourage participation and collaborative problem-solving. These included introductory and context-setting discussions, group brainstorming, facilitated discussions, presentations and a gallery walk.
Participants also watched a video, prepared group presentations and submitted feedback through a survey. The activities were intended to help young people articulate their perspectives on local issues and consider practical approaches to making urban environments more inclusive and sustainable.
Albert Lee, an executive committee member of Pertubuhan Belia Kebangsaan Bersatu Sarawak (SABERKAS), attended the programme as a representative of the organisation.
The inclusion of youth-focused discussions reflected the forum’s wider emphasis on involving different sections of society in urban development. Young residents can offer perspectives on public spaces, mobility, environmental concerns and community facilities, while structured discussions provide opportunities to consider how those needs may be addressed through planning and public initiatives.
The broader Sarawak Urban Forum 2.0 brings together government agencies, urban planners, industry professionals and community representatives to examine issues including urban resilience, smart city development, sustainability and community wellbeing.
These areas are increasingly important to city planning as urban centres respond to changing community needs, environmental pressures and demands for reliable public infrastructure. Coordination among local authorities, technical experts, businesses and residents can help identify priorities and improve understanding of the challenges facing urban communities.
For DBKU, the forum provides an opportunity to strengthen engagement among stakeholders and encourage wider public involvement in discussions about Kuching’s development. The programme’s combination of leadership engagement, community participation and youth activities places collaboration at the centre of its approach to future-ready cities.
As the forum continues until 27 October, its wider discussions are intended to support cooperation and the exchange of ideas on how cities can prepare for future challenges while responding to the needs of their communities. The stakeholder assembly brought these priorities together through engagement involving public officials, community representatives and young people. â Sarawak Daily
