RECODA CEO Ismawi elected new AZAM Sarawak chairman for 2026-2028

Datuk Ismawi Ismuni (centre) poses for a group photo with the newly elected AZAM Sarawak board of directors for the 2026-2028 term following the organisation's 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kuching on June 29, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 29: Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni has been elected as the new chairman of Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak for the 2026-2028 term, succeeding Datu William Patrick Nyigor.

The appointment was announced following AZAM’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, where members also elected a new board of directors to lead the organisation over the next two years.

Mohd Arif Irwani Azahari was retained as vice chairman, while Dr Margaret continues as honorary secretary. Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee was elected the new honorary treasurer.

Other board members for the 2026-2028 term are Dato Ambrose Cheng Loi Hee, Sharkawi Yassin, Norianah Haji Razali, Patrick YB Law, Donald Henry, Zaiwin and Awang Johari.

Ismawi is no newcomer to AZAM, having served the organisation for almost 16 years in various leadership capacities. He joined the board of directors in 2002 before serving as honorary treasurer and later deputy chairman for three consecutive terms.

In a statement, Ismawi thanked AZAM members for their confidence and pledged to continue strengthening the organisation as a progressive and inclusive communication platform.

“I am honoured to accept this responsibility and would like to express my appreciation to all AZAM members for the trust they have placed in me.

“Together with the new board of directors, we are committed to strengthening AZAM’s role as a progressive, inclusive and impactful communication organisation. We want to ensure AZAM continues to serve as a platform that connects communities, develops talent and empowers society through relevant, innovative communication that creates value for every level of society,” he said.

He added that the new leadership would prioritise strengthening the communication ecosystem, talent development, digital literacy, capacity building, and expanding youth and community participation through more strategic, creative and inclusive communication approaches.

Under its new leadership, AZAM said it will continue focusing on participatory communication, youth leadership development, digital literacy, volunteerism, lifelong learning and the production of quality communication content.

The organisation also plans to expand strategic collaborations with government agencies, educational institutions, industry players and community organisations to broaden the impact of its programmes across Sarawak.

Meanwhile, AZAM expressed its appreciation to outgoing chairman Datu William Patrick Nyigor for steering the organisation’s strategic transformation into a communication-focused organisation.

During his tenure, several flagship initiatives were introduced, including KelakaBelia, PROGRESS, the Premier of Sarawak Debate Challenge Cup, AZAM Young Souls (AYS), the AYS Toastmasters Club, digital literacy programmes and various capacity-building initiatives benefiting youths and communities throughout the State.

Entering its 44th year, AZAM said it will continue strengthening its role as a communication platform that connects communities, promotes understanding and empowers public participation in line with Sarawak’s aspirations for progressive, inclusive and sustainable development.

Here’s a look of AZAM Sarawak’s new line-up for 2026-2028 term:

— DayakDaily