Sibu will soon host the first Malaysia Deaf Summit, marking a historic event for the country’s hearing-impaired community.
Hosted by the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA), the summit will be held from Sept 26 to 28 at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu town.
State Deputy Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam expressed his confidence in the summit.
He described it as a platform that would create sustained opportunities for the social integration and empowerment of the hearing-impaired community.
“The deaf community has long faced systemic barriers to full participation in society.
“Policy must be directed towards strengthening accessibility, expanding funding for community-led initiatives, and ensuring their representation in decision-making processes,” he said at a press conference.
Mohamad Razi added that a lasting legacy was built on concrete action.
“Legislative frameworks must incorporate permanent support mechanisms such as structured employment pathways, accessible education systems, and standardised sign language interpretation services across public, and private sectors.
“Meaningful change is achieved when the deaf community is not just included in conversations but empowered to actively shape policy outcomes that affect their future.
“Our commitment must be reflected in long-term structural reforms,” he said.
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer Amelia Roziman believes the events such as the summit should leave a lasting imprint on the communities they impact.
“This is why over the past few years, BESarawak has worked closely with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association to develop this first ever Malaysia Deaf Summit.
“The event will amplify voices that deserve to be heard and provide a platform for collaboration between stakeholders.
“It will ensure that the deaf community is embraced in Malaysia’s development journey.”
Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association president Albert Wong Tuong Chui hopes that the summit will translate into tangible action, from strengthening accessibility policies to creating economic opportunities.
“The summit aims to bring together key stakeholders, including government representatives, service providers, civil society, researchers, and members of the deaf community.
“It also aims to confront challenges and explore systemic reform through education, networking, and direct engagement with policymakers in Sarawak as well as on a national and global scale,” he said.
The summit is supported by the state’s Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Ministry, Sarawak Social Welfare Department, state Women and Family Department and Sarawak Social Development Council.
Under the theme “Inclusive Futures: Advancing Access and Equity for Deaf Communities”, the event will explore vital topics.
These include inclusive and accessible education, healthcare equity, access to information, interpreting services in public spaces, legal empowerment and policy advocacy as well as cultural and linguistic preservation.
