SIBU: Sibu stepped onto the international stage on Friday evening (July 17) as more than 1,000 Lions leaders from 19 countries and special administrative regions gathered for the opening ceremony and welcome banquet of the Asia Pacific Lions Leaders Summit (APLLS) 2026, underscoring Sarawak’s growing stature as a destination for major international business events.
The prestigious ceremony, held at the Grand Ballroom of Kingwood Hotel here, began with the arrival of international delegations, followed by the symbolic Star Walk of Fame Entrance Ceremony, celebrating the participation of Lions leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.
The event was graced by Lions Clubs International President Mark S Lyon and his wife, Lion Lyn Lyon, while Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was represented by Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
Abdul Karim’s text of speech was delivered by Ting, who described the summit as a milestone not only for Sibu but also for Sarawak, saying the successful hosting of an international gathering of such magnitude reflected the state’s growing capability to organise world-class conferences and conventions.
He noted that delegates from 19 participating countries and regions had brought global attention to Sibu, providing an opportunity to showcase Sarawak’s cultural diversity, hospitality, heritage and tourism offerings to an international audience.
“Sibu may be a relatively small town, but it has demonstrated that it possesses the infrastructure, confidence and hospitality required to host major international events,” he said.
Beyond strengthening international friendship and cooperation, Abdul Karim said the summit would deliver tangible economic benefits to the local community, with hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tourism businesses, cultural performers and local entrepreneurs expected to benefit from the influx of overseas delegates.
He added that international events of this calibre reinforce Sarawak’s ambition to become one of the region’s leading business events destinations while promoting knowledge exchange and long-term global partnerships.
He also congratulated Lions International District 308-A2 after the summit earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records for organising “The Most Participants in an International Leadership Service Pledge”, describing the achievement as a proud milestone for both the organising committee and Sarawak.
He paid tribute to the organisers, volunteers and Lions members whose dedication made the summit possible, noting that staging an international event of such scale required exceptional leadership, teamwork and perseverance.
Highlighting the enduring humanitarian role of Lions Clubs International, Abdul Karim said the organisation had, for decades, transformed communities worldwide through initiatives in youth development, environmental conservation, vision care, hunger relief and humanitarian service.
He expressed confidence that the three-day summit would serve as a valuable platform for regional leaders to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration in advancing humanitarian efforts across the Asia-Pacific.
The opening ceremony concluded with a welcoming banquet celebrating international friendship and cultural exchange, setting the stage for three days of leadership discussions, networking and service-focused initiatives.
