28-04-2025
Newly-evolved Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards to propel Sarawak onto global stage, says Abd Karim
Abdul Karim (centre) joins a photocall for the Bila 2025 press conference flanked by Ting (right) and Snowdan. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (April 28): Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards (Bila) 2025, formerly known as the Anak Sarawak Awards, has the potential to propel Sarawak onto the global stage.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Bila — an evolved form of the Anak Sarawak Awards — has expanded its scope to accept and recognise global contributions.
'The state is moving forward, no longer confining itself to matters within Sarawak. That is why, even in terms of conferences and business events, we are looking beyond our borders.
'Previously, this award (Anak Sarawak Award), was confined to the state. Now, we are reaching out internationally. We want Sarawak to play a global role — whether in aviation, energy, or other sectors,' he told a press conference for Bila 2025 here today.
Abdul Karim strongly encouraged business events industry players to submit their entries and actively participate in the awards.
'Our success is driven by the dedication of industry players — the event organisers, professionals, researchers, and associations — who have placed Sarawak on the global map,' he said.
He said the main categories under Bila 2025 are Conventions Legacy Excellence, Exhibitions Legacy Excellence, Corporate Meetings & Incentives Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sarawak Industry.
'The four main categories share the same subcategory pillar whereby submissions can be focused on Social, Economic, or Environmental achievements; or Honorary, which consist of all three achievements,' he said.
'We also have a special category for Journalism with subcategories of Broadcast, Print/Online.'
Bila 2025, hosted by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), aims to recognise exceptional contributions across the business events sector, highlighting achievements in legacy, sustainability, and innovation.
Submissions for Bila 2025 are open until June 15. Achievements eligible for nomination must have been made between 2023 and June 2025.
Eligible participants include business event organisers (corporate meetings, conventions, corporate incentives, exhibitions), government bodies, corporate organisations, industry partners and suppliers, journalists, and other professionals from Malaysia and around the world.
All nominations must be submitted through the official Bila 2025 online platform.
For submission guidelines and further details, visit
The Bila 2025 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct 3, 2025.
Among those present at the press conference were Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
