KUCHING: A delegation of Toastmasters International leaders visited the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Tuesday (May 19), highlighting efforts to strengthen communication and leadership development in the region.
The 20-member delegation was led by Toastmasters International president Aletta Rochat and included Region 9 International director Nur Zaihanirah Zaini, District 87 director Suharjo Setio, District 87 Club Growth director Joanna Tang and Division D director Joanna Then.
According to Then, the delegation was invited by Political Secretary to the Premier Kho Teck Wan and was given a guided tour of the DUN.
“One of the highlights of our visit was a briefing by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian on the roles of the DUN, including enacting laws to facilitate Sarawak’s development for the benefit of all Sarawakians,” she said in a statement.
Then also expressed appreciation to Dr Sim and Kho for their support towards Toastmasters initiatives, including the establishment of the Bee Speech Bilingual Toastmasters Club last year, where Kho serves as charter president.
She said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to foster communication and leadership skills among the community.
Meanwhile, Joanna shared that Division D Toastmasters members and clubs recorded strong achievements during the Toastmasters District 87 Annual Conference 2026 held in Sibu from May 15 to 17.
Division D, which covers clubs in Kuching, Bintulu, Miri and Brunei, received numerous accolades including Distinguished Division, President’s Distinguished Club and Area, Smedley Distinguished Club, as well as several individual awards.
Then also congratulated contestants from Division D for their achievements in the district-level speech contests held during the conference.
Among the winners were Hiew Sing Siong from Bintulu Speakers Club, who emerged champion in the Bahasa Melayu Pidato Contest, and Sharon Lim Pei Teng from Kuching Bilingual Toastmasters Club, who won both the Mandarin International Speech Contest and Mandarin Speech Evaluation Contest.
Kuan Jia Yi from Padawan Foochow Association Toastmasters Club secured third place in the Mandarin International Speech Contest, while Phang Soon Choi from Kuching Progressive Toastmasters Club placed third in the Mandarin Table Topics Contest.
In the English International category, Joyces Sim from Kuching Bilingual Toastmasters Club finished second.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation dedicated to empowering individuals through communication and leadership development.
