1st Malaysia Deaf Summit to be held in Sibu

Deputy Minister of Community Well-being Development of Sarawak, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam (seated, centre) together with representatives from various participating organisations for the 1st Malaysia Deaf Summit during a press conference in Sibu, yesterday.

SIBU, 9 May 2025: The inaugural Malaysia Deaf Summit will be taking place at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu from September 26 to 28, 2025.

This was announced yesterday by the Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN) and is aimed at bringing together key stakeholders including government representatives, service providers, civil society, researchers and members of the Deaf community. Themed ‘Inclusive Futures: Advancing Access and Equity for Deaf Communities’, the summit will explore vital topics such as inclusive and accessible education, healthcare equity, access to information, interpreting services in public spaces, legal empowerment and policy advocacy and cultural and linguistic preservation.

Hosted by the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA), the 1st Malaysia Deaf Summit represents a landmark event in the history of the Deaf community in Malaysia. Since the establishment of the Federation School for the Deaf in 1954, many Deaf individuals have overcome barriers once believed to be impossible to overcome. Access to education has opened countless new doors, empowering Deaf people to forge their own paths to success despite ongoing challenges. Despite that, systemic barriers like deeply entrenched societal assumptions, stereotypes and rigid norms continue to hinder the community’s progress.

“By establishing a dedicated platform for the Deaf community, we hope to create sustained opportunities for integration and empowerment. Policies must be directed towards strengthening accessibility measures, expanding funding for community-led initiatives and ensuring representation in decision-making processes,” said Deputy Minister of Community Well-being Development of Sarawak, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam during a press conference.

“BESarawak has collaborated closely with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association to develop this first ever summit, which will amplify voices that deserve to be heard and provide a platform for collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the Deaf community is not just included by embraced in Malaysia’s development journey,” elaborated CEO of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), Amelia Roziman.

“Through education, networking and direct engagement with policymakers, we aim to break long-standing barriers and open new pathways for the Deaf community to thrive, not just here in Sarawak, but also on a national and international scale. We hope that the legacy impact from this summit will translate into tangible action – from strengthening accessibility policies to creating economic opportunities,” said Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association President, Albert Wong Tuong Chui.

For more information, visit https://www.mydawn.org/summit2025/