By, Nurul Nasrijah Jabirin
GOMBAK, 17 April 2026: Borneo Night 2.0 was successfully held as a cultural event organised by the Ikatan Anak-anak Sabah (IKAS) and the IIUM Kenyalang Union (IKON) under the Kelab Sahabat Anak Malaysia (KSAM). The event served as a vibrant platform to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of Sabah and Sarawak while strengthening unity among students of diverse backgrounds at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
The event was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Dr. Andi Md Shamsureezal bin Mohd Sainal, State Assistant Minister to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah. His presence marked recognition of the importance of preserving Borneo’s cultural heritage among students.
According to the programme manager, Syarif Akmal bin Sarjuddin, “It is the first time we brought KEMBARA dancers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Muhibbahraya Tawau, all of whom are Primary 1 students. We also featured a solo dancer from Tawau, Najem Dickson, whose performance showcased traditional dances from Sabah, Sarawak, and the Peninsular, making this edition different from last year.”
The “Sounds of Borneo” performance segment featured Malaysian singer Naki, alongside Shawn Finian Wong, who performed the sape, a traditional string instrument from Sarawak, as well as a fashion show showcasing a variety of traditional attires from Sabah and Sarawak, and a performance by Syamil Adam, a vocalist of the IIUM Acoustic Band.
Borneo students from various universities came together in support of the cultural celebration, including Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Universiti Malaya (UM), and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
Overall, Borneo Night 2.0 successfully achieved its objectives of promoting the cultural heritage of Sabah and Sarawak. The event concluded on a positive note, leaving a meaningful and lasting impact on all participants.***
