Integrity summit to gather 800 reps from across Borneo
KUCHING (July 4): The inaugural Borneo International Integrity Summit (BIIS) 2025 will be taking place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from July 29 to 30, bringing together over 800 participants from across the region in a collective effort to promote good governance and ethical leadership.
Organised by the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Unions) under the Sarawak Premier's Department, in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak and the Konsortium Universiti-Universitas Borneo (KUUB), the event will focus on fostering integrity as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Held under the theme 'Driving Innovation, Transparency and Ethical Leadership for a Sustainable Future', BIIS 2025 will record participation from academics, civil servants, students from 31 universities and colleges across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore, as well as representatives of secondary schools and several government departments and agencies.
According to Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, BIIS 2025 is a strategic platform meant to elevate transparency, drive innovation and nurture ethical leadership across Borneo.
'The summit is not just an intellectual event, but a collective movement to embed integrity into our institutions and systems.
'Through KUUB and Unions, we are uniting voices across sectors to build a more transparent, fair and accountable future for Borneo,' he told a press conference on the event today.
He stressed that the summit should reflect Sarawak's long-term vision of instilling integrity as a shared responsibility among leaders, educators, civil servants and youth.
'Integrity is not optional. It is the foundation of a progressive and just society.
'We are investing in a generation of leaders who are not only innovative and capable, but also guided by strong moral values and a sense of accountability,' said Juanda.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is scheduled to officiate at the opening ceremony this July 29.
According to Juanda, the programme is aligned with the Sarawak government's commitment to cultivating a culture of integrity and ethical governance.
'This is how we build trust in public institutions, by showing that we are willing to be accountable, to collaborate, and to lead by example,' he added.
He also said Sarawak would host BIIS every two years.
'As the permanent secretariat of KUUB, UPM Sarawak plays a central role in regional collaboration.
'The KUUB network currently includes 16 universities from Brunei, Indonesia (including Kalimantan), Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan,' he added.
In conjunction with the summit, an 'Innovation Exhibition' will be set up, showcasing research works and products by local institutions of higher learning that have the potential to enhance socio-economic development and global well-being.
Among the participating institutions are Centre of Technology Excellence (CENTEXS), Sarawak Skills, i-CATS University College, University Technology Sarawak (UTS), University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak (Samarahan Campus), and Curtin University Malaysia.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between KUUB and Unions will also be signed during the summit, aimed at strengthening the cooperation in enforcing integrity values across the region.
The summit is supported by Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak) and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP).
Also present at the press conference were Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, UPM Sarawak director Prof Dr Shahrul Razid Sarbini, and Unions director Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman. BIIS Borneo International Integrity Summit Dr Juanda Jaya Kuching
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