Sibu Celebrates Remarkable Contributions of Sarawak’s Leading Women
KUCHING (Aug 12) — In a resplendent celebration of female excellence, six distinguished women in Sarawak were honoured with the prestigious ‘Tokoh Wanita Sarawak’ awards during the state-level Women’s Day festivities held in Sibu yesterday. This year’s theme, “Sarawak Women in Innovation and Technology,” highlighted groundbreaking achievements across various fields, reflecting the state’s commitment to recognizing women’s pivotal roles in shaping the future.
New Categories Highlight Outstanding Achievements
Sarawak Premier Special Achievement Award (Innovation & Technology)
This year saw the introduction of a new accolade, the Sarawak Premier Special Achievement Award (Innovation & Technology), awarded to Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Siti Kudnie Sahari. A prominent lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Siti Kudnie has made significant contributions to sustainable energy. Her innovative work includes generating electricity through microbial fuel cells and utilizing sago waste to create electronic materials for electric vehicles. Her research is setting new benchmarks in environmental sustainability and technological advancement.
Sarawak Premier Young Leader Award
The newly introduced Sarawak Premier Young Leader Award was bestowed upon Hannah Toh Hong Na. Originally from Johor Bahru and now a resident of Sibu, Toh has demonstrated exceptional leadership from a young age. Her academic excellence began at SJKC Tung Hua and continued at SMK Tung Hua, where she excelled in the science stream. Toh’s dedication extends beyond academics; her active involvement in sports and the Girl Guides earned her the prestigious Queen’s Guide Award. Her story serves as an inspiration to many young people, illustrating the balance of academic success and extracurricular achievement.
Sarawak Premier Women’s Leadership Award
Umang Nangku Jabu received the Sarawak Premier Women’s Leadership Award for her exemplary leadership. A Kuching native, Umang pursued her higher education at RMIT University in Melbourne, earning distinction in her Bachelor of Business (Information Systems) in 2009 and a Master of Finance in 2023. Her career journey includes pivotal roles such as the director of Ginger & Coconut Development Sdn Bhd and currently, the director of SEDC Premix (Betong) Sdn Bhd. Her leadership has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the organisations she has been part of.
Sarawak Premier Women Entrepreneur Award
Lim Hii Ching from Dalat was honoured with the Sarawak Premier Women Entrepreneur Award. As the marketing manager at Sweet Food Convenience Store since 2006, Lim oversees operations at five airport locations across Sarawak. Her exemplary business acumen has earned her multiple awards, including the Best Business Supporting Partner from Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB). Beyond her professional achievements, Lim has made substantial contributions to the community, including support for fire victims in Kampung Haji Baki and donations to frontline workers.
Sarawak Premier Social Activist Award
Datin Sultan Patimah SKS Ismail from Bintulu was awarded the Sarawak Premier Social Activist Award for her dedicated social work. Born on June 16, 1950, Datin Sultan Patimah has been an active member of the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and various women’s associations. She also chairs the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK) in Bintulu, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to social causes and community development.
Sarawak Premier Outstanding Organisation Award
The Sarawak Premier Outstanding Organisation Award was presented to Destiny For Children Sibu, an NGO dedicated to supporting street children, stateless children, and school dropouts. Since its inception in October 2013, the organization has grown from 20 students and volunteer teachers to supporting 123 students with a dedicated staff of 12. Destiny For Children Sibu continues to make a significant impact by fostering educational opportunities and positive behaviour among disadvantaged youth.
Honouring Excellence
Each award recipient was presented with a trophy, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The ceremony not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of these women but also underscored the ongoing efforts to support and uplift women in Sarawak.
The ‘Tokoh Wanita Sarawak’ awards serve as a testament to the transformative power of women’s contributions in various sectors, from innovation and leadership to entrepreneurship and social activism. As Sarawak continues to shine a spotlight on these extraordinary individuals, it reaffirms its commitment to empowering women and fostering a culture of excellence.