JCI Sarawak leaders participate in regional leadership academy

MIRI (April 2): Four local presidents representing Sarawak chapters of Junior Chamber International (JCI) joined 50 of their peers from across the Asia-Pacific region this weekend for the 2026 JCI ASPAC Academy held here on March 28 and 29.

The Sarawak contingent comprised Clarissa Loi Qiao Wee of JCI Lutong, Wong Siew Wu of JCI Sarikei, Dr Justine Yong Jenj Qhinn of JCI Batu Kawa, and Mark Teo Yong Shen of JCI Kuching — four young leaders who collectively represented the breadth of the state’s active JCI network.

Altogether, 54 local presidents from 13 countries and regions converged on Miri for the academy, with participants drawn from Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Macao, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and South Korea.

The programme was led by JCI Senator Roberto Antonio Noronha of JCI Macao, China, who guided participants through intensive sessions focused on effective leadership, communication, teamwork, and community impact.

Delegates also took part in cross-cultural exchanges and networking sessions, drawing on shared experiences in leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development across the region.

“This platform allows us to connect with international leaders and gain valuable insights that we can bring back to serve our local communities more effectively,” one of the Sarawak delegates said.

The event highlighted the growing presence of Sarawak’s JCI chapters on the regional stage, with the state’s representatives engaging alongside counterparts from some of Asia-Pacific’s most established JCI communities.

JCI Lutong, which co-ordinated the Sarawak delegation’s participation, is a local chapter of JCI — a global network of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 committed to driving positive change through leadership development, community projects and international collaboration.