KUCHING: The Hand & Sign Day 2025 brought the community together on Sunday in a vibrant celebration of deaf culture, sign language, and entrepreneurship, offering engaging activities for people of all ages.
Organised by the Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) with SeDidik and J.V.Y Management, the Hand & Sign Day 2025 highlighted Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) as a bridge between the deaf and hearing communities, featuring a main programme from 9 am to 11.30 am and a Charity Food Fair from 7 am to noon.
In his address, Dr Jason Lim, Chairman of SSD, welcomed guests and expressed his gratitude to Kuching South City Council Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng for officiating the event.
He described sign language as more than just hand movements, saying it is expression, emotion and culture, and a language of the heart that brings deaf individuals and hearing people together, highlighting its role in connecting communities and fostering inclusion.
“When children sign our national anthem, Negaraku, and the state anthem, Ibu Pertiwiku, it shows the power of communication beyond barriers,” he said, emphasising the programme’s focus on learning and engagement.
He praised Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing, for her visionary approach to introducing BIM at the preschool level, noting it would “benefit all children, not only those with special needs”.
Most stalls run by the deaf community offered food, snacks and merchandise, with visitors able to support the initiative through RM50 coupon booklets or receive exclusive gift bundles for higher contributions.
The event was made possible with support from SALCRA, Lee Onn Group, MMS Market Management Services, Hong Seng Construction, Sarawak Plantation Bhd, CMS Land Sdn Bhd, and donors who contributed items for sale.
Additional booths featured NGOs, associations, SeDidik, and Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia.
