KUCHING: Mulu, home to ancient caves, rich biodiversity and close-knit indigenous communities has long captivated explorers, scientists and nature lovers alike from around the world.
Now, its stories have captivated the nation, thanks to Sarawak Tribune’s digital chief reporter Sarah Hafizah Edwin Chandra Perkasa.
Sarah’s five-part series on the UNESCO World Heritage Site earned her the Gold prize for Best Feature Writing category at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards 2024.
Her special report, Natural Wonders of Mulu delves deeply into different aspects of Mulu National Park from its incredible caves to the amazing people who live there.
Sarawak Tribune’s editor-in-chief Aden Nagrace accepted the award on Sarah’s behalf during the award presentation held in conjunction with the Malaysian Journalists Night 2025 at the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night.
Also present was Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak chief executive officer Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
On the articles, the first part of the story begins with British cave explorer Andrew Eavis, who first ventured into Mulu in the late 1970s and played a key role in discovering iconic caves like Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave.
The series then goes into Mulu’s karst landscapes, which Dr Dominique Dodge-Wan described as a living lab where geology, climate and biology all come together.
It also zooms in on biodiversity hotspots such as Mulu and Gunung Buda, with Professor Dr Wong Sin Yeng emphasising the need to protect rare plant species and maintain strong ties with local communities, particularly as tourism in Mulu continues to expand.
From there, the series explores the delicate balance between conservation and tourism, featuring insights from park manager Hein Gerstner.
In its final chapter, the series turns its lens on the people of Mulu – individuals like boatman Johnny Ipoi and homestay owner Diana Mani, who have found new ways to sustain their families while proudly sharing their culture and surroundings with visitors.
Reflecting on her award-winning articles, Sarah said: “To me, the strength of Mulu really comes from its people – their connection with nature is what will keep this place thriving for generations.
“Therefore, overall, the report was my way of showing Mulu in a full and rich light – not just as a place of stunning caves, but as a living and breathing community with a deep story to tell,” she said.
Inspiration from the field
Sarah’s connection to Mulu began in 2022, during a field assignment, following an invitation from the former Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) Sarawak director Datuk Khirudin Drahman and his team.
That early exposure sparked a deep interest in the region, eventually culminating in her return last year to cover the International Showcave Association (ISCA) Conference, held from Sept 29 to Oct 3.
“Mulu has always held a special place in my heart, and I wouldn’t have known just how remarkable the place and its people are.
“I was fortunate enough to witness and take part in BOMBA Sarawak’s air unit operations, delivering COVID-19 vaccines to interior villages such as Long Lellang, Long Banga, Long Moh, Long Jekitan and Long Panai.
“It was also during that trip that I was introduced to the BOMBA Sarawak’s Mountain and Cave Search and Rescue (MOCSAR) team, which later became the focus of a special report I wrote.
“That report went on to win the Gold award in the Community Wellbeing category at the Kenyalang Journalism Awards that same year,” she said.
From that point on, Sarah knew there was more to discover and share about Mulu and its people.
“When I got the opportunity to return in October last year to cover the ISCA conference, I knew I wanted to work on another special report. After all, how often does one get the chance to return to Mulu and reconnect with its wonderful community?
“At the conference, I had the privilege of meeting and networking with people from all over the world who are incredibly passionate about caves and showcaves,” she said.
Sarah however admitted that she had very little prior knowledge about cave or showcave management and conservation when she arrived at the event.
“Naturally, I felt intimidated, and there was definitely pressure to deliver quality news coverage – especially since I was the only media representative invited by the national park.
“But I saw it as an opportunity to give my best and to learn as much as I could by engaging with almost everyone I met. That’s always been my approach.
“I believe there’s always something valuable to learn from the people I encounter, even if I may be a complete outsider to the subject matter,” she said.
She added that she was particularly drawn to highlighting the people of Mulu, who often don’t get the attention or recognition they deserve.
“Mulu is usually celebrated for its breathtaking caves and landscapes, but to me, it’s the people who make the place so special.
“There’s so much depth in their stories, culture and connection to the land – and I felt it was important to bring that side to light.
“I just wanted to do justice to them. I wanted readers to not only read about Mulu’s natural wonders, but also feel something for the people who live there and care for it every single day.
“Places like Mulu deserve more than a passing mention – they deserve to be understood, respected, and remembered, especially by fellow Sarawakians who may not fully realise just how blessed we are to have so many pockets of paradise right here in our own backyard,” she said.
Simple curiosity to a labour of love
The journey to completing her award-winning series was far from smooth.
While juggling her responsibilities as digital chief reporter, Sarah was unknowingly navigating the early stages of pregnancy.
“What I didn’t realise back then was that I was actually expecting my first child. Throughout the writing period, I constantly felt unwell – battling fevers and migraines that came and went, and bouts of vomiting that I initially assumed were due to food poisoning. It never crossed my mind that these could be early signs of pregnancy.
“In fact, there was one occasion when I was so heavily medicated that I accidentally missed an appointment with one of my sources. Thankfully, she was kind and understanding – willing to reschedule and recognising that I hadn’t meant to miss our early morning meeting.
“I had overslept due to the medication I took a few hours prior. No words can truly describe how awful I felt about it and I was so worried she wouldn’t give me another chance,” she said.
To make matters more challenging, the writing period coincided with the November sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I managed to juggle constantly feeling under the weather, covering the DUN proceedings, and working on the special report all at the same time,” she said.
Despite the odds, Sarah pressed on – driven by a desire to do justice to Mulu and its people.
Recalling her time in Mulu, Sarah said words could hardly capture what the experience meant to her.
“Mulu is one of those rare places where time just feels like it stands still. It took me two years to get back there after my first visit, but when I did, everything felt so familiar especially the warmth of the people who were there,” she said.
She added that she brought her husband along for the ISCA conference and it was his first time in Mulu.
“I was super excited to show him this amazing place, even though I’d only been there once before myself.
“He fell in love with Mulu just as much as I did. He gained a deep appreciation for this little slice of heaven on earth that we Sarawakians are lucky to have,” she said.
To Sarah, Mulu holds a quiet kind of magic – a place where one can disconnect from the noise of daily life and reconnect on a deeper level.
“Whether it’s with nature, with yourself, or with the incredible people who call Mulu home, that feeling stays with you long after you leave,” she said.
Telling stories that matters
Reflecting on the win, Sarah said the award affirms the value of honest and empathetic storytelling.
“These aren’t just articles—these are people’s live and experiences,” she said.
She also described the recognition brings her immense pride, particularly knowing that Sarawak Tribune is the only non-national media organisation to win this year.
“That makes the achievement even more meaningful—not just for me, but for our entire team at Sarawak Tribune and for Sarawak,” she said.
Moving forward, Sarah said she wants to be more intentional about the stories she plans to work on – choosing ones that can inspire people or bring about positive change.
“And I always strive to outdo myself with every piece I write, to keep growing and improving as a journalist.
“It’s a good reminder to stay humble and keep learning because there’s always room to get better,” she said.
To young journalists hoping to follow a similar path, Sarah offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to just jump headfirst into the unknown.
“Stay curious, stay patient, and keep learning. The best stories come when you genuinely care,” she said.
Sarah, 28, a Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) graduate from the Communication and Media Studies joined Sarawak Tribune in 2020 and later became a full-time journalist.
She was also honoured with the A. Samad Ismail Young Journalist Award at the MPI-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards 2023.
