Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has appointed Datu Hii Chang Kee as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 November 2025. The appointment follows the retirement of former Chairman Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg in August, marking a leadership transition aimed at accelerating Sarawak’s ambition to become a regional powerhouse for high-impact business events.
Datu Hii, currently the Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Operation), brings more than three decades of experience in public service and tourism development. His leadership will focus on strengthening Sarawak’s position as Malaysia’s leading convention bureau and a global model for legacy-driven events. The move aligns with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, which emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Strategic Vision for Sarawak’s Event Industry
Under his leadership, BESarawak aims to transform the state into a destination of high strategic value through three guiding pillars — transformation and innovation, impact and legacy, and partnerships and people. “Over the next five years, we will align plans to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of high strategic value,” said Datu Hii. “Our direction will be guided by three pillars – transformation and innovation, impact and legacy, and partnerships and people.”
To achieve these objectives, BESarawak will focus on five key areas: destination development, market diversification, digital transformation, sustainability leadership, and talent development. These priorities are designed to position Sarawak as a globally recognized hub for business events that deliver measurable economic, environmental, and community outcomes.
“The appointment of Datu Hii is timely and strategic,” said The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak. “His position within government enables him to bridge strategy and execution, ensuring that Sarawak becomes an international model of inclusive leadership where collaboration between government and industry drives sustainable growth.”
Legacy Building and Regional Influence
Datu Hii’s experience spans leadership roles in tourism planning, arts, and heritage. As the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, he helped develop the Sarawak Tourism Master Plan 2021–2035, a long-term roadmap for tourism growth and diversification. His work emphasizes cooperation across sectors to generate meaningful legacies that extend beyond event tourism.
In 2025, he chaired the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, which produced the Borneo Legacy Declaration — a key agreement endorsed by policymakers and influencers from Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. The declaration reaffirmed Sarawak’s leadership in advancing legacy-driven business events that contribute to sustainable regional development and policy innovation across the Asia Pacific.
“His appointment marks a new chapter for Sarawak’s business events industry, balancing continuity with fresh ambition to elevate Sarawak’s global competitiveness,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak. “His extensive experience in public service, coupled with his deep understanding of the business events landscape, will be invaluable to the industry’s future and significance to the government and society.”
Beyond his strategic vision, Datu Hii’s academic and professional credentials reinforce his commitment to excellence. He holds degrees in Housing, Building and Planning, Law, and Human Resource Development, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executive Fellows Programme. His service record includes roles with the Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Arts Council, and Tourism Malaysia, contributing to initiatives such as the Borneo Cultures Museum.
As BESarawak moves into its next phase under Datu Hii’s leadership, the focus remains on fostering international collaboration, building industry talent, and delivering business events that create long-term value for Sarawak’s economy and communities. The state’s evolving approach highlights its commitment to being a destination where progress, partnership, and sustainability converge.
