Mohammad Razi (seated centre) with participants of the inaugural Malaysian Deaf Summit 2025.
THE staging of the inaugural Malaysian Deaf Summit 2025 demonstrates the country’s commitment to inclusivity, says Sarawak Deputy Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam.
The government, he said, was paying attention to the aspirations of persons with disabilities particularly those of the deaf community, who had long called for fair opportunities.
“It marks a paradigm shift in the government’s approach to social inclusion.
“For decades, the deaf community has often been left out, when policies were drafted without taking their views into account.
“Today, we show that the government is taking tangible steps to involving them in national development,” he said at the event in Sibu.
Jointly organised by Deaf Advocacy and Well-being National Organisation (DAWN) and Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA), it gathered participants from Malaysia and abroad.
Themed “Reclaiming Deaf Space: Language, Identity and Cultural Power”, the summit highlighted the importance of recognising Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) as the primary language of the deaf community and the need for structured support from educational institutions, employers and society at large.
“We acknowledge that BIM is not merely a tool of communication, but also an integral part of the identity and culture of the deaf community.
“It is therefore time for BIM to be formally recognised through national policies and legislation,” Mohammad Razi said.
He added that the deaf community should not be viewed as weak or passive, but as a group with vast potential, capable of contributing meaningfully in diverse sectors including the arts, education, business and advocacy.
“Our duty as a government and society is to dismantle barriers that hinder their participation.
“Once those barriers are removed, the deaf community will prove their abilities.” — By ANDY CHUA
