KUCHING: The Sarawak Scout Council must move beyond mere planning and commit to a “covenant of unity” to ensure the movement’s mission remains impactful for the youth throughout 2026.
President of the Sarawak Scout Council, Tan Sri Datuk Sri William Mawan Ikom, stressed that leadership within the movement requires a blend of passion, discipline and proactive resource management.
“Time is not our enemy, but it is unforgiving,” he said during the first-ever Eventide Retreat cum Dinner held at the Scout Headquarters here on Sunday (Feb 15).
“While the calendar suggests ample months ahead, meaningful scouting work is often limited by school examinations and public holidays. Plans must now be matched with action,” he said.
Mawan noted that with the 2026 programme estimates already approved, districts and organising committees must be proactive in fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
He cited a recent success in Bintulu where organisers successfully navigated a last-minute venue change due to flooding through sheer perseverance and effective networking.
Highlighting major upcoming activities, he mentioned the 15th Malaysia Scout Jamboree, scheduled from Aug 29 to Sept 4 in Penang, and Kem Pendidikan Marin, a specialised camp for Sea Scouts in Miri this June.
While acknowledging potential government assistance, Mawan reminded leaders that external support should only complement internal efforts, not replace them.
Addressing internal communication, Mawan urged leaders to bridge existing gaps and avoid a culture of finger-pointing.
“Blame weakens an organisation; ownership strengthens it. We must protect our unity and demonstrate positive leadership, especially when engaging with external partners,” he added.
Earlier, Chief Scout Commissioner, John Lim Boon Beng, welcomed the initiative, stating that the quality of experiences provided to young people is the true metric of scouting success.
Also present were Vice Presidents, Kho Ik Teck and Mohadi Mobin; Deputy Chief Commissioner, Iu Cho Heng; Chairman of Sarawak Scout Foundation, Arthur Lee Cheng Chuan; and Honorary Commissioner, Capt. Zainuddin Tan Sri Hamdan.
