PETALING JAYA: As artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies create new opportunities, ensuring women have equal access to digital skills and leadership pathways will be critical to Malaysia’s future competitiveness. To further conversations in this area, the Women Leadership Foundation (WLF) and CelcomDigi Berhad (CelcomDigi) co-hosted Future-Ready Women: Leading Malaysia Through Transformation in conjunction with National Women’s Day 2026. 

The strategic dialogue brought together representatives from government, industry and the corporate sector to discuss support necessary for growth in a changing economic landscape. The collaboration leverages WLF’s experience in developing women leaders and CelcomDigi’s expertise in technology and talent development, demonstrating how cross-sector partnerships can help create more inclusive pathways for women to excel.

In her keynote address, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri highlighted the role of policy in creating a supportive environment for women to thrive. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Malaysia’s female labour force participation rate reached 56.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting continued growth in women’s economic participation.

“We must therefore ensure that women can participate in the digital economy with confidence. This means providing opportunities to learn at different stages of life and recognising that not everyone begins from the same starting point. It also means connecting training to meaningful pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and career progression.”

During the event, guests visited the CelcomDigi AI Experience Centre (AiX), gaining first-hand exposure to how AI and 5G are shaping the future of work. Other highlights included a Power Session by Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, former Chief Justice of Malaysia and the country’s first female Chief Justice, who shared great insights from her leadership journey, while reflecting on leading and driving change at the highest levels of national institutions.

The event also featured a panel that discussed lessons for navigating technological disruption, digital transformation, AI acceleration and evolving workforce expectations. The members also explored topics related to mindsets needed for the future and how women can build them effectively. 

This year’s programme also coincided with WLF’s anniversary, marking five years of sustained work to advance women into leadership and decision-making roles across Malaysia and the region. 

Emylia Anwar, Chief Executive Officer of the Women Leadership Foundation said, “For us at WLF, being future-ready is not simply about understanding new technologies. It is about preparing women to make decisions, lead organisations, shape policy and create opportunities in a world that is changing at extraordinary speed. Our partnership with CelcomDigi creates a powerful bridge between leadership development and technology, bringing these conversations into the same room and, importantly, turning them into connections and opportunities.”

CelcomDigi, a leading telco-tech in Malaysia has long championed diversity and creating opportunities for women to grow in leadership positions, particularly in technology related areas. Women currently make up 49% of the company’s approximately 2,850 strong workforce, with women accounting for 42% of leadership roles overall and 15% of leadership across Technology and Innovation functions. 

Albern Murty, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Technology may be transforming how we work, but people remain the driving force behind progress. As AI and digitalisation reshape industries, it is important that women are equipped with the skills and support needed to succeed. Through our partnership with WLF, we are bringing together complementary strengths to help cultivate a stronger pipeline of talent and contribute to a more inclusive and competitive Malaysia.”

KUALA LUMPUR: IKEA Malaysia announced the appointment of Takeshi Murai as country retail director, effective 1 September 2026. He succeeds Malcolm Pruys, who has led the Malaysia business since September 2022.

Murai takes on the role at an important time for IKEA Malaysia. Following its 30th anniversary this year, the home furnishing retailer is entering its next phase of growth, with a continued focus on affordability, stronger omnichannel experiences and bringing IKEA closer to more people.

One of Murai’s first major milestones will be the opening of IKEA Kuching in December 2026, IKEA Malaysia’s first store in East Malaysia and its first small-format store.

With nearly two decades of IKEA experience across Asia and Europe, Murai brings extensive retail leadership and a strong understanding of how different markets and customers live. He joined IKEA in 2008 in Osaka, Japan, before progressing through retail and market leadership roles in Japan, Sweden and Finland.

His IKEA journey later brought him to Malaysia as Store Manager of IKEA Batu Kawan in 2024, where he was responsible for the store’s overall retail operations and customer experience. He later took on responsibility for the IKEA Klang Valley stores, giving him first-hand experience of Malaysian customers, co-workers and the changing realities of life at home.

“Malaysia is a diverse and dynamic market, where the way people live, shop and experience home continues to evolve,” said Takeshi Murai, country retail director of IKEA Malaysia.

“As I take on this role, I want to stay curious and open to understanding how people really live at home. This will remain fundamental to keeping IKEA relevant to the needs of Malaysians, while we look for more ways to make our products and experiences seamlessly affordable and accessible across our stores and digital channels.”

“Opening IKEA Kuching later this year is an important part of that journey. For the first time, we will bring the physical IKEA store experience to East Malaysia, closer to customers who have known and shopped with us for years. I am excited about what lies ahead and the opportunity to continue growing IKEA Malaysia together with our co-workers, customers and communities.”

Growing closer to how Malaysians live

As IKEA Malaysia moves into its next chapter, the business will continue to be guided by its vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

Affordability will remain at the heart of this, guided by the idea that Staying at Home Is Affordable. At IKEA, affordability is about more than the price tag. It is about helping people make more of the homes they already have, with well-designed and functional solutions that make space work harder, everyday routines easier, and leave more room for rest, comfort and connection.

This approach is supported by Democratic Design, which brings together form, function, quality, sustainability and low price, alongside IKEA understanding of Life at Home. Together, these help IKEA respond to changing household needs, multifunctional spaces and evolving shopping behaviours, while making the IKEA experience easier to access across stores and digital channels.

Building on a strong foundation

Murai succeeds Malcolm Pruys, who became Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia in September 2022.

Under his leadership, IKEA Malaysia sharpened its focus on affordability and accessibility, lowering prices on more than 2,000 essential and best-selling articles while strengthening its omnichannel business across stores, e-commerce, collection points and delivery, including expanded access in East Malaysia.

Pruys also oversaw important milestones for IKEA Food in Malaysia. All IKEA Restaurants, Cafés and Bistros nationwide achieved JAKIM halal certification, formally recognising IKEA Malaysia’s long-standing halal practices, while the IKEA curry puff entered the Malaysia Book of Records after 8.6 million were sold in a year.

Pruys also led IKEA Malaysia as it celebrated 30 years in the country in 2026, marking three decades of growth alongside Malaysian homes and communities.

“It has been a privilege to lead IKEA Malaysia and to work alongside so many passionate co-workers over the past four years,” said Malcolm Pruys.

“What I am most proud of is how we have continued to stay close to the realities of everyday life in Malaysia and keep evolving with the needs of our customers. None of what we have achieved would have been possible without the commitment of our co-workers and the trust of the many people who continue to welcome IKEA into their homes.”

“As IKEA Malaysia moves into its next chapter, I believe the business is in a strong position to keep growing in ways that are relevant, accessible and meaningful. Takeshi knows IKEA, he knows Malaysia, and most importantly, he understands that everything we do starts with the many people and how they live at home. I am very pleased to hand over the leadership to him and confident he will continue building on the foundation we have created together.”

For Murai, the appointment marks the next step in an IKEA career spanning nearly two decades and multiple markets, as he now leads IKEA Malaysia into its next phase of growth 

• Field surveys may not provide reliable enough population data to set sustainable commercial harvest quotas for reticulated pythons.
• Researchers carried out 527 nocturnal surveys over five years, covering 2,427km along the Kinabatangan River.
• Low detection and recapture rates made it difficult to estimate python abundance, survival and reproduction using traditional population models.
• Researchers recommend monitoring long-term trends in commercially harvested pythons as a more reliable way of assessing whether trade is sustainable.

KINABATANGAN: Traditional mathematical population modelling is incapable of determining sustainable commercial harvesting levels for reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus), according to findings recently published in Scientific Reports.

Reticulated pythons have been commercially harvested in Malaysia and Indonesia for more than a century, with hundreds of thousands taken from the wild each year for domestic and international trade in meat, skins and body parts used for medicines.

Determining whether this level of harvesting is sustainable, however, has been the subject of debate. Studies of harvested pythons have used factors such as body size, sex, maturity and body condition to assess the sustainability of the trade, while field-based population estimates have also been proposed as a basis for determining sustainable harvest levels.

The comprehensive five-year study – the most intensive field research ever conducted on free-ranging reticulated pythons – concludes that the extreme camouflage, low detectability and cryptic nature of tropical reptiles render field-based Population Viability Analysis (PVA) functionally impossible.

Instead, researchers assert that international regulatory bodies and conservation policymakers, including CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), must pivot toward monitoring data collected directly from commercial processing facilities to ensure long-term trade sustainability.

The study focused on wild python populations across eastern Sabah’s Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) and nearby oil palm agricultural landscapes, uncovering critical insights into python detectability, behaviour and population dynamics.

Researchers chose an area where the python population is not subject to commercial harvesting and should therefore theoretically be at its natural carrying capacity. The riverside habitat could also be surveyed by boat, providing conditions where the snakes were expected to be more numerous and easier to detect than across much of their range.

Conducted from April 2016 through March 2021, researchers completed 527 nocturnal riverbank boat surveys, covering a total distance of 2,427 kilometres along a 64-kilometre stretch of the Kinabatangan River.

The main finding of the study was that pythons proved remarkably elusive.

The overall mean detection probability was just 20.5%, with individuals remaining undetected 25% of the time even in habitats where their presence was definitely confirmed.

Over the study period, researchers recorded 159 total python encounters – 83 through standardised surveys and 76 opportunistic sightings.

However, only 25 unique individuals were recaptured across 40 events. This low recapture rate proved insufficient for traditional open-population mathematical modelling, such as Jolly-Seber models, to accurately estimate total abundance, survival or reproduction rates.

The findings highlight the challenges researchers face when monitoring cryptic apex reptiles in tropical riverine ecosystems.

“Even under ideal ecological conditions and with massive, sustained field effort, gathering empirical abundance and mortality data for ambush-predatory tropical snakes is functionally impossible. Expecting field surveys to establish harvest quotas is a flawed strategy,” said Dr Benoit Goossens, Director of Danau Girang Field Centre and one of the researchers for the study.

“With this study now complete, we know where best to expand precious resources for the monitoring and management of species like reticulated pythons,” said Dr Daniel Natusch, Chair of the IUCN SSC Snake Specialist Group and co-author of the study.

“Our findings directly challenge policies that demand field-based population estimates before permitting commercial trade. We emphasise that international policy decisions – such as CITES regulations or trade quotas – should not rely on unfeasible field population models,” added Natusch.

“Instead, we advocate for tracking long-term trends from specimens harvested by commercial processing facilities in active trade regions. Monitoring consistency in parameters such as body size distributions, body condition, and sex ratios over time serves as a far more reliable, realistic, and responsive benchmark for determining whether trade levels are sustainable,” concluded Goossens.

KUCHING: IKEA Malaysia announced that IKEA Kuching will open in December 2026, marking the next chapter of IKEA in East Malaysia and bringing the IKEA store experience closer to the many people in Sarawak.

IKEA Kuching will be IKEA Malaysia’s first small-format store and its first store in East Malaysia. The new store builds on IKEA existing presence in the region through e-commerce and fulfillment, giving customers the opportunity to experience IKEA home furnishing inspiration, products and expertise physically and closer to home.

“We have heard from our customers in Sarawak, and we are excited that IKEA Kuching will soon be ready to welcome them,” said Malcolm Pruys, Country Retail Director, IKEA Malaysia. “Our ambition has always been to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA Kuching brings us another step closer to doing that by making the IKEA experience more accessible and relevant to how people here live at home.”

A different IKEA store format, with the same IKEA experience

Unlike the four larger IKEA stores currently operating in Malaysia, IKEA Kuching introduces a small-format store, designed to bring the IKEA experience together in a more compact and convenient setting.

Customers will be able to explore inspiring room settings, home furnishing solutions and selected products to take home on the day, with access to a wider range of IKEA products available to purchase.

The format is designed to make it easy for customers to move between inspiration and solutions, whether they are looking for a small everyday improvement, planning a room or furnishing an entire home.

Inspired by life at home in Sarawak

Ahead of the opening, IKEA spent time learning how people in Kuching live at home, including visits to local households to better understand their everyday needs, challenges and aspirations.

The findings showed that homes in Kuching are strongly shaped by family, togetherness and hospitality. Living and dining spaces often support multiple activities, from everyday family time to welcoming extended family and friends, while organisation and storage remain common challenges across both landed and high-rise homes.

“People in Kuching already know IKEA, but we want them to walk into IKEA Kuching and also recognise something of their own life at home,” Pruys added. “Whether it is making room for family to gather, finding a better way to organise the things we live with every day, or making one space work harder, we want to offer solutions that feel useful, achievable and relevant.”

Making IKEA more accessible

The opening of IKEA Kuching is part of IKEA Malaysia’s continued commitment to making well-designed and functional home furnishing accessible to more people.

As IKEA Kuching gets ready to welcome customers, IKEA Malaysia will also begin engaging with the local community to build its team of co-workers in Kuching. The focus will be on creating opportunities for local talent to grow with IKEA and be part of bringing the IKEA experience to life in Sarawak. 

IKEA Kuching is expected to open to the public in December 2026. Look forward to learning more details on the store, opening date and what customers can look forward to in the months ahead.

KOTA KINABALU: Designed for anyone looking to get more out of AI, the Lenovo Yoga AI Now Workshop this Saturday (15 August) will introduce participants to the intelligent features available on Lenovo Yoga devices and how they can be used to simplify work, boost creativity and enhance daily productivity.

Held as part of Lenovo Day, the workshop will take place from 3pm to 3.30pm at the Lenovo Reseller Store, Kompleks Karamunsing.

The Kota Kinabalu session follows an earlier workshop held at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching on 8 August, as Lenovo brings its Yoga AI Now programme to East Malaysia.

The workshop will give participants a closer look at how AI features on Lenovo Yoga devices can be used beyond simple prompts. Throughout the session, participants will explore features such as Lenovo AI Now, Copilot+ and FlickLift, and learn how they can be used to organize information, generate ideas, draft content, edit images, translate documents and complete everyday tasks more efficiently without relying heavily on the cloud.

By the end of the workshop, participants will walk away with practical tips they can easily apply to their own work and daily routines. Interested participants can register here. Each workshop is limited to 10 participants, with welcome gifts and refreshments provided.

After the workshop, participants can get creative by trying out the all-new Lenovo Yoga devices and designing their own artwork using Lenovo FlickLift and Copilot+ features. Those who share their artwork on social media by tagging @LenovoMY, #LenovoMY and #MadeWithLenovoYoga will receive a RM10 ZUS Coffee e-voucher.

Lenovo Tech Fest also coming to Kota Kinabalu

The workshop coincides with the Kota Kinabalu leg of the Lenovo Tech Fest Back-to-School 2.0 campaign, taking place from 14 to 16 August at TopMacro, Kompleks Karamunsing.

The campaign previously made a stop at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching from 7 to 9 August.

Running nationwide until 30 September, the campaign offers selected purchases of Lenovo IdeaPad, Yoga and Legion devices with complimentary Microsoft Office Home & Student, Lenovo E310 Earbuds and WL310 Mouse, as well as one-year Accidental Damage Protection.

Customers purchasing selected Lenovo Yoga models at participating stores and authorised resellers can also receive Lenovo Open-Ear Clip-on Earbuds X50 and a Lenovo 16-inch Laptop Topload Bag T210.

In-store purchases made during the campaign period will also come with a customised blind box gift, while stocks last.

The Lenovo Yoga AI Now Workshop in Kota Kinabalu will be held on 15 August from 3pm to 3.30pm at the Lenovo Reseller Store, Kompleks Karamunsing. Registration is available through Lenovo Malaysia’s event registration page.

Terms and conditions apply. Promotional items are available while stocks last.

KUCHING: Pepsi Malaysia returns as the Official Main Sponsor of Kuching Festival Fair 2026 to be held from 22 July to 16 August 2026, reaffirming its commitment to one of Sarawak’s most anticipated annual events through a series of exciting activations.

The campaign was officially launched at a press conference officiated by Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), where Pepsi Malaysia unveiled the exclusive Limited Edition Pepsi x Kuching Festival Fair 2026 Can. Created specially to commemorate this year’s festival, the collectible can celebrates Kuching’s vibrant food culture and will be available exclusively during the festival period.

As the Official Main Sponsor, Pepsi Malaysia will introduce several exciting initiatives throughout the festival period, designed to enhance visitors’ dining experience while bringing greater excitement both on-ground and across digital platforms.

Hemalatha Ragavan, CEO of Etika & International Exports, shared, “The Kuching Food Festival is one of Sarawak’s most iconic community celebrations, and Pepsi is proud to be part of it for the second time. The Sarawak community has shown Pepsi tremendous support over the years, and that continued support means a great deal to us. To mark this meaningful milestone, we are excited to introduce the first-ever Pepsi x Kuching Food Festival limited-edition can, created specially for the festival while delivering the same great Pepsi taste that fans know and love. We also want fans and visitors to enjoy the festival with Pepsi, which is why we are offering special promotions throughout the festival, including Pepsi drinks from just RM2, making it even easier for everyone to refresh and enjoy the celebration together.”

Hema further added, “At Etika, we believe our strong brand experiences are built by creating value for consumers in moments that matter to them. By bringing together great food, local culture and rewarding experiences, we are proud to celebrate the spirit of Kuching and continue making every meal Better With Pepsi.”

Pepsi Malaysia Revives Popular Festival Promotions

Following the overwhelming response received during last year’s festival, Pepsi Malaysia will be bringing back two of its highly anticipated promotions. Kicking off the campaign is the return of the popular Pepsi Hour promotion, offering festival-goers Pepsi for just RM1 per can every Monday (27 July, 3 August and 10 August), from 5pm to 6pm throughout the festival.

Pepsi Malaysia will also bring back the #YourKFFBetterWithPepsi Food Pairing Contest, rewarding consumers with a total cash prize pool of RM15,000.

To participate, festival-goers need to:

• Purchase their favourite food at Kuching Festival Food Fair together with a Pepsi;
• Take a creative photo featuring their food pairing with Pepsi;
• Upload the photo to Facebook or Instagram;
• Include the hashtag #YourKFFBetterWithPepsi;
• Tag Pepsi Malaysia on Facebook or @PEPSIMY on Instagram.

Each week, five of the most creative entries will be selected and announced during Dato Sri Wee Hong Seng’s Facebook Live sessions, taking place every Saturday at 1.30pm on 1 August, 8 August, and 15 August throughout the festival period.

For the latest campaign updates, visit Pepsi Malaysia on Facebook and follow @PEPSIMY on Instagram.

KUCHING: As the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) expands into East Malaysia, there will be a greater need for digital fuel management among businesses operating commercial vehicles across Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, where efficient fleet operations are essential to maintaining productivity, managing costs and serving customers across vast geographical distances.

Recognising these evolving needs, Setel’s Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay offers a fully digital fleet fuel management solution designed to help businesses simplify fuel administration, strengthen oversight and enhance operational efficiency.

“Digitalisation is transforming how businesses operate, and fuel management should be no exception. As organisations grow, they need solutions that not only simplify day-to-day operations but also provide greater visibility and control over critical business resources. Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay was developed to help businesses manage fuel more efficiently through a seamless and intuitive digital experience that reduces administrative clutter, simplifies the application process and makes day-to-day fleet fuel management easier to use,” said Abdullah Ayman Awaluddin, Chief Executive Officer of Setel.

A Smarter, Cardless Way to Manage Fleet Fuel

Traditional fleet fuel management often involves multiple manual processes, including issuing physical fuel cards, handling receipts, tracking expenses and reconciling transactions. These manual processes can be time consuming, may limit visibility across operations and could leave businesses exposed to misuse and compliance risks.

Through the Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay Portal, fleet managers can create digital SmartPay cards for registered drivers, linked directly to their Setel accounts.

Every transaction is securely captured and reflected in a centralised dashboard, enabling fleet managers to monitor fuel purchases in real time, access digital receipts, generate reports and customise controls such as fuel type, refuelling frequency and designated PETRONAS stations.

By digitising the fuel purchasing process, businesses gain greater visibility over fuel expenditure, improved operational oversight and a more streamlined administrative workflow.

Supporting Businesses Ahead of SKDS Expansion

Once onboarded on Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay via Setel, businesses can manage fuel balances, driver access and transaction monitoring through a single platform, reducing paperwork and enabling more efficient fleet administration.

Drivers benefit from a convenient cardless and cashless refuelling experience, while fleet managers enjoy greater transparency and control over fuel usage.

As an added benefit, eligible businesses that successfully activate their Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay account can enjoy a complimentary special benefit, subject to terms and conditions, as they transition to a smarter and more efficient way of managing fleet fuel.

More Flexibility, Less Administration

To further support business operations, Setel also offers users of Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay with a higher top-up limit, giving businesses greater flexibility in managing fleet fuel payments.

Complementing this is the Auto Top-Up feature, which automatically replenishes Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay balances when they fall below a pre-set limit.

This helps minimise manual intervention, reduces the risk of insufficient balances during operations and ensures vehicles remain ready to stay on the move.

Together, these features deliver a more seamless experience for fleet operators by reducing the administrative efforts while improving operational continuity and convenience.

Driving the Future of Fleet Management

“The expansion of SKDS marks an important step in Malaysia’s subsidy digitalisation journey, but it also highlights a broader shift towards smarter and more connected business operations. We see this as an opportunity for businesses to modernise the way they manage fuel, improve efficiency and strengthen operational resilience. Through Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay, we are committed to supporting businesses with digital solutions that make fleet management simpler, more transparent and more effective,” added Ayman.

To learn more about Cardless PETRONAS SmartPay and the expanded SKDS, visit www.setel.com/business/fuel or follow Setel’s official social media channels for the latest updates.

When Merinsak (Hardship) won the film category at Starbucks Malaysia’s Kopi Creator Kolektif (KCK) 2026, it marked an important milestone for Sarawakian filmmaker Clayvert Unji.

Organised by Starbucks Malaysia to showcase emerging creative talent, the programme recognised the film teaser Merinsak for its heartfelt portrayal of a young Sarawakian determined to risk everything to return home for Gawai. For Clayvert, founder of Tanahliat Studios, the recognition was less the culmination of a career than an affirmation that he was on the right path.

Anyone discovering his work through Merinsak will soon realise that the project’s central themes did not emerge overnight.

Searching for Belonging

Long before Merinsak, Clayvert had already begun exploring migration, identity and belonging – subjects rooted as much in his own experiences as in those of the people around him.

Growing up in Bintulu after spending part of his childhood in Miri, he describes his childhood as much like that of many other young Sarawakians.

“I would say my childhood was pretty normal; like most Sarawakian kids were. Mom was working in the government sector, dad works in oil and gas, we had our weekend barbecues, family trips on the road, visiting other towns nearby, and two pet dogs that I love and cherish dearly.”

Although academically driven as a child, by secondary school he found himself increasingly drawn to creative pursuits – debate, theatre, poetry, broadcasting and youth programmes. While many of his classmates focused on academics, he immersed himself in activities that allowed him to tell stories, speak publicly and work with others.

Not everyone understood those choices. As his grades slipped, he recalls being sidelined and criticised by friends and family. The experience planted a desire to look beyond his small-town surroundings, searching for a place where his creative interests would be appreciated.

“I knew that somewhere out there, I would be valued. I would say that looking for the sense of belonging, the constant searching of what home means, that’s what inspires most of my stories, because even now, I am still looking for a place where I could call home.”

While studying IT in Kuching, Clayvert would spend much of the 2019 What About Kuching (WAK) festival attending talks, performances and exhibitions instead of thinking about programming. One event, however, would change the direction of his life.

“It was a poetry recital at a cafe right across St. Mary Secondary School Kuching that made me question what I actually wanted to do with my life. I was surrounded by so many creative people, from all forms and walks of life and career that I never knew existed, or possible. There, I decided to research what I actually wanted to do in life, and what I was actually passionate about.”

Within months, he made the difficult decision to leave IT behind, despite having no clear roadmap ahead.

“I was scared and afraid of what I didn’t know, because nobody in my family or friends ever stepped foot into a creative line of career. I simply had no one to look up to, and no sense of direction.”

He would enrol in a Diploma in Mass Communication in Shah Alam, choosing a course that exposed him to writing, animation, filmmaking and digital media before eventually continuing his film studies at Multimedia University (MMU).

“For the first time in my life, I actually enjoyed what I was learning. For two years, I was hyper focused on studying and gaining more knowledge from whatever the lecturer could teach me, and being open to unlearning and deconstructing whatever assumptions and prejudice I had when I came into the course.”

Finding a voice through film

Another encounter at MMU would further shape his direction.

Filmmaker and lecturer Zan Azlee screened the documentary Grey Gardens during one of his classes. While many of his classmates struggled to stay engaged, Clayvert found himself captivated. More importantly, he found a mentor willing to answer his questions about filmmaking, documentaries and storytelling.

“Mr. Zan Azlee opened up my views, my thoughts, and my mind when it comes to the world of filmmaking. He is the first person to have encouraged me to continue making films after university.”

His experience with Zan Azlee reinforced his decision to pursue filmmaking professionally – a medium that brought together his love for storytelling, narrative writing and visual arts.

Tanahliat Studios began during Clayvert’s first year at MMU. As students were asked to create production house names for their films, he chose Tanahliat Studios as a play on his nickname, Clay. Although he expected it to exist only for the assignment, the name endured, becoming the banner under which he would continue making films.

Stories that lead home

His first short film, Pulai, remains especially personal. It was, he says, one of the few films in which an anak perantauan like himself could recognise his own experiences.

Released in 2023, Pulai follows someone who leaves home for the city, only to find that distance complicates rather than resolves their relationship with the place they left behind. As they juggle expectations and responsibilities from afar, the film asks a question that Clayvert himself was grappling with at the time: what does home mean when you no longer feel entirely part of it?

“It was a very vulnerable time for me, as I questioned what home is and what home meant. I have been jumping places trying to find my voice and reasoning, and being away from home, I feel more like a visitor than a resident. It feels surreal.”

The response at its screening confirmed he was not alone. Audience members from different parts of Malaysia – and beyond – who had left home to study or work recognised something of themselves in the story.

“It definitely became my aspiration to make more films that speak about our experiences.”

His next short film, Anak Jantan, explored similar questions from a different perspective.

Inspired by renewed discussions surrounding Malaysia’s National Service Training Programme (PLKN), the film imagines the friendships, anxieties and shared experiences that emerge when young people are brought together in unfamiliar surroundings. Although different in setting, it continued his interest in how people navigate change, relationships and belonging.

By the time he worked on the teaser for Merinsak, those recurring themes had become central to Clayvert’s early body of work.

The short film follows Pam, a Sarawakian student studying in Kuala Lumpur who goes to extraordinary lengths to return home for Gawai. Clayvert describes Pam not as a single individual, but as a composite of people he knows – friends, cousins, his sister and even parts of himself – who have had to migrate for better opportunities.

Authenticity, however, extends beyond the story itself. While making Merinsak, Clayvert worked with collaborator Azura to ensure the dialogue reflected the characters’ backgrounds. Pam, for instance, grew up in Sibujaya while her family hails from Kapit, shaping both her accent and dialect.

“From there, we build the accent and dialect for her character, so it’s more realistic for the Iban speaking viewers. It might seem so minuscule, but representation still matters, and the correct representation is important.”

Telling East Malaysian Stories

That philosophy also shapes the stories he hopes to tell in the future.

Rather than limiting Iban representation to historical settings or familiar stereotypes, Clayvert wants to tell stories about contemporary Iban communities whose lives unfold across cities, campuses and workplaces. More broadly, he hopes to contribute stories about “my people back home”, introducing audiences across Malaysia to the diverse characters and experiences that shape East Malaysian life.

“Representation of our existence and livelihood is more important than ever. It is concerning how Sarawak has developed so much over the last few decades, and yet you still get the occasional ‘How do you live in a forest?’ question from people outside the state. I believe we need to have more visibility and awareness of a modern day metropolitan Iban representation on screen, not only to educate and spread awareness to the outside world; but also to have modern day Sarawakian relate to the characters, as it is their lived experience too!”

As a filmmaker at the beginning of his career, Clayvert is careful not to map out every step ahead. He hopes to one day direct more films in Sarawak and contribute to its growing creative community. For now, he is focused on learning, collaborating and gaining experience wherever opportunities arise.

That collaborative spirit also informs the advice he gives aspiring filmmakers from Borneo.

“The first step is always the hardest, but it is very important to take that first step, because that will open up more doors,” he says. “Connect with your communities, and always be open to make new connections, networks, and friends. At the end of the day, filmmaking is collaborative work, and it takes a village to create something spectacular.”

Asked what he hopes audiences will remember when they look back on his work years from now, Clayvert’s answer is not about awards or acclaim. Instead, he hopes his films leave behind two simple ideas: hope, and connection.

“Hope in a way where there is always hope for all of us in our journey,” he says. “Connected as in knowing that you are not alone in this journey, and my work is the reflection of it.”

KUCHING: AirBorneo will begin selling tickets for its first international route between Kuching and Singapore on 13 July through its official website and mobile app.

The daily service begins on 22 July, coinciding with Sarawak Day – two days after AirBorneo’s commercial launch between Kuching and Kuala Lumpur on 20 July. Economy Class fares start from RM399, while Business Class fares start from RM871, Bernama reported.

The new international route forms part of the roadmap AirBorneo outlined during a media roundtable earlier this week as it builds its commercial network alongside its Rural Air Services operations.

Building a premium regional airline

During the media roundtable, AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki outlined the airline’s long-term role in strengthening connectivity within Sarawak, where the state’s size and geography make air travel an essential mode of transport for many communities.

He said AirBorneo aims to strengthen links within Sarawak while improving connectivity with Peninsular Malaysia and the wider region as it develops into a premium regional carrier serving both Sarawakians and visitors.

“This is our aspiration, to become a premium airline that can provide the best service to our people, not only in Sarawak, but also our friends from other places. And as we all know, this airline is not only to service people from Sarawak to the other parts of the world, but we want to provide services for people from other parts of the world to come to Sarawak.”

Rather than expanding rapidly, AirBorneo plans to build its commercial network in stages. Chief executive officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin said starting with a smaller fleet would allow the airline to maintain cost discipline while establishing a sustainable foundation for future growth.

“Starting with two aircraft gives us a controlled growth trajectory. With two, we can be very disciplined on cost.”

As the network expands, AirBorneo plans to adopt a hub-and-spoke model centred on Kuching, allowing passengers arriving on commercial flights to connect with destinations across Sarawak.

Stabilising fares

Stabilising airfares between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia is one of AirBorneo’s key mandates, with the airline introducing its RM375 all-inclusive “Sarawakku Sayang” Economy fare as part of its effort to keep fares consistent throughout the year, including during peak travel periods.

The airline’s first commercial initiative was the launch of bookings for the Kuching–Kuala Lumpur service on 7 July, with Business Class fares starting from RM736.

Megat Ardian said the RM375 fare was benchmarked against the average lowest fares offered by airlines operating the Kuching–Kuala Lumpur route after reviewing fare data from the first six months of the year, as well as average low fares from the previous year.

The all-inclusive fare covers airport taxes, a 23kg checked baggage allowance, 10kg cabin baggage, complimentary seat selection and an in-flight meal.

“Some carriers can be slightly lower than us, but it may not be all-in fare. They may just be a base fare, but they haven’t included airport tax, baggage, food or seat selection.”

Megat Ardian said surveys consistently identified high airfares between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia as one of travellers’ biggest concerns, prompting the airline to make fare stabilisation one of its priorities.

“One of the main things is the high fare price between Semenanjung as well as the Sarawak region. Those are the things that we want to stabilise going forward. So that’s why we introduced this fare.”

Asked whether competing airlines lowering their fares signalled the start of a price war, he said AirBorneo expected the market to respond.

“If the local carriers did not react to our price, then we are irrelevant in a way. But it’s good that we made an impact.”

Mohamad Abu Bakar said the airline had already begun seeing the impact of its pricing strategy.

“After we announced the price, it seems that the other airlines’ pricing is more or less the same. It means that we managed to stabilise the price.”

Strengthening Rural Air Services

AirBorneo currently operates 14 turboprop aircraft comprising eight ATR 72-500s and six Twin Otters serving 21 airports across Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan. The network has been carrying between 60,000 and 70,000 passengers each month since January and is targeting about 850,000 passengers annually.

Megat Ardian acknowledged recent disruptions, saying improving operational resilience had been one of the airline’s priorities over the past six months.

AirBorneo is improving reliability through faster spare-parts transfers, quicker deployment of maintenance personnel, shorter repair turnaround times and additional suppliers to improve aircraft availability. It is also rationalising lower-demand services to create more maintenance time while retaining connectivity.

Additionally, eight new ATR 72-600 aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029 will progressively replace the existing ATR 72-500 fleet.

“RAS is a social obligation. It’s not just about tourism. It’s not just about investment, but it’s also essential services.”