KUCHING: Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has appointed Datuk Hii Chang Kee as its new chairman of the Board of Directors (BOD), effective November 1.
Hii, who currently serves as Deputy State Secretary (Operations), succeeds Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, who retired in August.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, described the appointment as “timely and strategic”, noting that Hii’s position in government will help strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors to drive sustainable growth.
With more than 30 years in public service, Hii is known for his progressive vision and inclusive leadership.
In his current role, he oversees public communication, service transformation, innovation, and digitalisation of government services.
Outlining his plans for BESarawak, Hii said the agency’s direction will be guided by three key pillars: transformation and innovation, impact and legacy, and partnerships and people.
“Over the next five years, we aim to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of high strategic value,” he added.
“Our focus will be on destination development, market diversification, digital transformation, sustainability leadership and talent development.”
BESarawak’s Chief Executive Officer, Amelia Roziman, welcomed the appointment, describing it as a new chapter for the state’s business events industry.
“His extensive experience in public service and deep understanding of the business events landscape will be invaluable to the industry’s growth and its contribution to government and society,” she said.
Hii previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, where he helped formulate the Sarawak Tourism Master Plan 2021-2035.
He also chaired the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, which produced the Borneo Legacy Declaration, a milestone endorsed by regional policymakers that underscored Sarawak’s leadership in legacy-driven business events across the Asia Pacific.
A Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellow, Hii has also served on the Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Arts Council, and Tourism Malaysia, contributing to key initiatives such as the Borneo Cultures Museum.
