Anugerah Seni Sarawak 2025 set for Oct 22
- BT
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
KUCHING, 11 September 2025 – Sarawak’s arts and cultural scene is set to take centre stage with the upcoming Anugerah Seni Sarawak (ASS) 2025, a prestigious awards ceremony aimed at recognising outstanding contributions to the State’s creative and heritage industries. Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced this at a media briefing held at Baitulmakmur II, Petra Jaya this morning.
Scheduled for Oct 22, 2025, 8pm at the Dewan Santapan, State Legislative Assembly Building (DUN) in Kuching, the awards will celebrate individuals and organisations that have elevated Sarawak’s arts, culture, and creative industries both locally and internationally.
“The Awards serve as the highest platform to honour individuals and organisations that have advanced and elevated the arts, culture, heritage, and creative industries of Sarawak both nationally and on the international stage,” said Karim when addressing the media.
The awards are a collaborative effort between the State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), with implementation by the Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN) Sarawak.
At the juncture, Karim extended his gratitude to Deputy Director General of the Cultural and Arts Sector at JKKN, Mohd Radzi bin Omar, who represented the Director General at the event, and acknowledged the strong support from media partners and corporate sponsors, which include Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd, Pepsi Malaysia, J&J Event Production, Kek Lapis Warisan Sdn. Bhd, Nora Ventures Company, Ride & Style Enterprise, and Lightcube Studio Sdn. Bhd.
"The enthusiastic response shows that Sarawak’s arts and culture are cherished by all members of the community, regardless of background, ethnicity, or tradition,” he added.
The nomination period ran from June 1 to July 1, 2025, during which 92 applications were received and evaluated based on transparent and rigorous criteria. A judging panel of seasoned experts in Sarawak’s arts and cultural scene has been appointed to oversee the selection process.
Award Categories for Anugerah Seni Sarawak 2025 include Anugerah Tokoh Seni Sarawak 2025, Anugerah Pendukung Seni Media, Anugerah Pendukung Seni Agensi Kerajaan & Korporat, Anugerah Pendukung Seni Badan Bukan Kerajaan, Anugerah Opera Kenyalang (Seni Teater), Anugerah Sri Ritma Kenyalang (Seni Muzik), Anugerah Kesuma Kenyalang (Seni Tari), and Penerima Nilakandi Seni Sarawak Sepanjang Zaman.
Karim expressed confidence that the awards will be a catalyst for further recognition of Sarawak’s cultural practitioners.
"I believe that this prestigious award provides a platform for Sarawak’s cultural practitioners to be held in high regard and placed alongside leading figures across various fields," he said.
He concluded with a call to unity and celebration, saying "Let us come together to celebrate the recognition of our cultural artists and make this awards ceremony a cherished memory that inspires unity and continued effort to elevate Sarawak’s cultural industry to the highest level, even onto the world stage."
