Chieng (centre, in batik shirt) with participants of Blast Youth Forum 2025.
THE inaugural Blast Youth Forum 2025 has the potential to elevate Sibu, Sarawak, as a hub for creative arts and cultural exchange at the Asean level.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said such youth forums could shape Sibu’s future as a leading destination for performing arts and youth talent development in the region.
“If this programme is made into an annual signature event, it is not impossible for Sibu to gain recognition as a meeting point for modern culture and arts that transcend borders,” he said when opening the forum at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.
Also present were organising chairman Jasmine Tou, Kelab Penggai Seni Kreatif Sibu chairman John Hii and Business Events Sarawak senior business development manager Donny Tan Yee.
In addition to showcasing entertainment such as K-pop dances, the forum also placed strong emphasis on personal development, creativity and youth community building.
Chieng said modern dance was more than mere entertainment, as it also served as an educational medium that taught young people discipline, teamwork, perseverance and the courage to express themselves positively.
“At the same time, it encourages a healthy lifestyle and instils self-confidence among participants,” he added.
The forum also drew participants from Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.
This made it a unique platform to strengthen regional ties through the international language of art, said Chieng.
“Arts and culture are bridges between nations.
“With continued support for events like this, Sibu is strategically placed to emerge as a creative meeting point in South-East Asia,” he said.
He also urged all parties, including the government, youth organisations and the private sector, to work together to ensure the continuity of the forum and fostering a sustainable arts ecosystem in Sibu.
