KUCHING: The AZAM Young Souls (AYS) Toastmasters Club, under the guidance of AZAM Sarawak and with full support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED), successfully held its Leadership Installation Night for the 2025/2026 term on July 19 in Kuching.
This meaningful event marked another milestone in the club’s mission to nurture articulate, confident, and forward-thinking young leaders for Sarawak.
It was graced by distinguished guests including DTM district director, Toastmasters International, Suharjo Setio, deputy chairman of AZAM Sarawak/dormer regional advisor, Toastmasters , Ariff Azahari Irwani , assistant secretary of Youth, MYSED Nuruddin Sabali and area director, Toastmasters, Ann Lee.
In his address, Suharjo reminded members that Toastmasters was more than just public speaking. It was a platform to discover one’s voice, leadership style and inner confidence.
“Young people have energy and great ideas. The challenge is learning how to express those ideas effectively. Toastmasters is a ‘sandbox’ a place to test, make mistakes and grow,” he said.
“This reinforces two key platforms AZAM Young Souls and AYS Toastmasters as avenues for structured, impactful youth empowerment. With the official support from MYSED, AYS Toastmasters is no longer just a youth club. It is now a recognised state-backed platform for shaping bold, charismatic and idea-driven leaders of the future,” said Ariff.
He also extended appreciation to MYSED for its trust and collaboration, expressing AZAM’s commitment to deepening this strategic partnership to expand leadership and communication training for Sarawak youth.
The highlight of the evening was the official handover from the 2024/2025 president, Amirul Syafiq, to incoming president, Ryshaune Lee, and the new executive committee for the 2025/2026 term.
In his inaugural speech, Lee expressed his vision for a dynamic and inclusive Toastmasters experience that supported every member’s growth.
“Together, we will take this club to new heights. We will continue to embody the spirit of ‘Grow the Youth, Grow Sarawak’, providing every young person the platform to lead and shape the future,” he said.
