Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar (left) presents a souvenir to Ting at the conclusion of tonight’s event. SIBU (July 11) : The Cultural Night of the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2025 was more than a showcase of traditional performances and colourful costumes – it highlighted Sibu’s growing stature as a cultural hub for the Borneo region, said State Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang. In a speech read by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting, Tiang described the festival as a platform that strengthens cultural resilience and unites communities across borders. “Sibu is more than the gateway to Central Sarawak. It is the cultural heartbeat of Borneo,” he said during BCF 2025 Cultural Night tonight. The evening featured a vibrant programme of traditional music, dance, and crafts, with performances by cultural troupes from across Sarawak and international guests from West Java, Indonesia. The presence of foreign delegations was seen as a sign of Sibu’s rising prominence in regional cultural diplomacy. “Tonight, we are not only witnessing performances. We are witnessing stories of identity, resilience and beauty expressions that connect generations and communities. “Culture is not a luxury. It is our legacy,” Ting said. He urged Sarawakians to view culture as a living heritage that must be preserved and passed down, especially amid globalisation and rapid digital change. “Let this festival be more than a celebration. Let it be a call to action, a shared commitment to ensure our cultural heritage remains part of our future, not just our past,” Ting added. The night’s performances reflected Sarawak’s rich ethnic diversity, including Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese traditions. Participation from Indonesian groups added a spirit of cross-cultural appreciation. Also present were Lanang MP Alice Lau, SMC Deputy Chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Joshua Ting, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Musa Derek Sairwona, Sibu District Police Chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili, Deputy Organising Chairman Cr Michelle Law, and other invited guests. The Borneo Cultural Festival continues through the weekend, featuring themed nights dedicated to various ethnic groups, culinary showcases, and cultural exhibitions.

Aaron (centre) in a group photo with the various ethnic group performers during the event. SIBU (July 9): Malaysia will soon launch its first official Minority Ethnic Festive Calendar, a reference guide highlighting the celebrations and cultural practices of the country’s minority ethnic communities. The inaugural edition is set for release in January next year. National Unity Minister Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang announced the initiative during the opening of the Borneo Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2025 Dayak Cultural Night at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here tonight. He said the calendar will not only list festive dates, but also provide insights into their meanings, origins, and associated traditions. “This calendar is not just a schedule of events, it is an awareness tool to help Malaysians better understand and respect each other’s cultures,” he told a crowd of over 3,000 at the vibrant multicultural event. Aaron said the calendar will be made available both digitally and in print, and distributed to all ministries, government agencies, schools, universities, and relevant stakeholders. “With this calendar, we will know when our friends celebrate festivals such as Irau Aco (Lun Bawang), Kalimaran Festival (Murut), Lepa-Lepa Festival (Bajau), Magahau Festival (Rungus), and many more. It promotes greater cultural sensitivity,” he said. He added that the initiative forms part of the ministry’s broader effort to promote its ‘Harmony in Diversity’ agenda by recognising and celebrating minority cultures that are often underrepresented nationally. Praising Sarawak as a model of unity in diversity, Aaron said genuine national harmony can only be achieved when Malaysians embrace and celebrate their cultural uniqueness. “Sarawak has proven that diversity does not weaken us, it makes us stronger. Differences should not be walls but bridges that connect us,” he said. BCF 2025 marks the 21st edition of the annual cultural celebration. This year’s theme, “Rhythm of Borneo”, is accompanied by a new mascot – the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) – symbolising Borneo’s rich biodiversity and the importance of wildlife conservation. The week-long festival showcases traditional music, dance, handicrafts, and food from the Dayak, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese communities of Sarawak. Also present at the event were Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang, Sibu Municipal Council Chairman Ting Ing Horh, SMC Deputy Chairman Mohammad Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, Dayak Pavillion 2025 lead coordinator Augustine Merikan and other invited guests.

(Seated from third right) Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting, Wong, Ting, Lau, SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley and others in a photo session at UCA Sibu booth. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 7): The Borneo Cultural Festival’s (BCF) Chinese Cultural Night is a meaningful event that showcases the rich traditions, timeless values and vibrant heritage of the Chinese community, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. “Culture is the soul of a community. It carries with it the wisdom of our ancestors, the expressions of identity and the bridge between generations. Let us continue to promote mutual understanding, cultural exchange and community harmony. “Let us also pass down these traditions to our younger generations so they know where they come from and carry forward the best of their heritage,” he said during the opening ceremony of the event here on Saturday. Meanwhile, United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu president Lau Ing Siong said Chinese culture, with it’s a 5,000-year heritage, has taken root and evolved differently across overseas communities.   Photo shows the huge crowd that thronged the Borneo Cultural Festival. — Photo by Peter Boon “Among all countries with overseas Chinese, Malaysia is one of the best at preserving and promoting Chinese culture,” he said. He said the event showcased Chinese cultural performances that also featured participation from other ethnic groups. “This fully reflects the local flavor of our shared culture and proves that Chinese civilisation is no hindrance to inter-ethnic harmony and development.” During the event, the guest-of-honour was Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, who was represented by his special duties officer Agatha Ting.

Snowdan (third left) and others during the event. Photo: UKAS SIBU: The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) continues to stand strong as a resilient symbol of heritage and unity among Sarawak’s diverse communities. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said BCF is more than just an entertainment event. He described the festival’s opening night performance as world-class, reflecting the high energy, creativity and commitment of all performers. “It represents the heritage, unity and unique identity of Borneo’s people, celebrating cultural diversity, music, dance, traditional attire and ethnic richness. “The show tonight was vibrant, creative, with colourful costumes and high-quality sound – reminiscent of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF),” he said. His speech was read by Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan at the opening ceremony of the 21st BCF on Friday. Abdul Karim also thanked Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and all supporting agencies for making the annual festival a consistent success. He disclosed that Sarawak now recognises 34 registered ethnic groups, up from 27, reflecting greater inclusivity of minority communities. These include Bakatan, Bakong, Bermali, Ukit, Dali and Kajang (Sekapan, Kejaman, Lahanan, Punan, Tanjung and Kanowit), as well as Bidayuh and Kenyah sub-ethnic groups. “This is Sarawak’s uniqueness. We must preserve it so that the younger generation remains connected to their cultural roots,” he asserted. He noted that Sarawak’s traditional dances are gaining global attention, with invitations received to perform in countries such as Italy, London and Japan. “Our dancers are increasingly recognised as cultural ambassadors, capable of representing Sarawak on international stages,” he said. Abdul Karim expressed confidence that BCF will contribute to this year’s target of attracting five million tourists to Sarawak. Last year, he said the state recorded close to 4.8 million tourist arrivals. “Through festivals like BCF, we promote cultural tourism, strengthen the creative economy, and reinforce social unity,” he added.