SAMENTA Hyperlokal AI Fest Brings AI Home to Sarawak SMEs in Kuching
Kuching, Sarawak, 7 October 2026 — The SAMENTA Hyperlokal AI Fest and Government-Industry Dialogue 2026 – Kuching Chapter brought Sarawak’s SME community together at Sarawak Skills for a full-day programme on turning artificial intelligence into practical business results.
Officiating at the event, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat said businesses must identify where technology can create genuine value, and build the capabilities to use AI effectively and responsibly. Knowledge alone, he stressed, is not enough — businesses also need access to networks, capability development, markets, financing and the right partners.
“For Sarawak entrepreneurs, transformation should ultimately help businesses become more productive, competitive and prepared for future opportunities,” he said. He encouraged the SMEs in the room to make full use of the platform, learn from the speakers, speak directly with participating agencies and partners, build connections, and consider where digitalisation and AI can support their own business priorities.
Closing the exposure gap
SAMENTA Sarawak chairman Theophilus Wong, who delivered the opening remark, said SMEs in the state face a significant gap in exposure and opportunity. “It’s important for us to actually keep abreast and keep ourselves updated, or otherwise we will be very much left behind. I strongly believe Sarawak has a lot more potential,” he said.
Wong called for closer cooperation between the business community and government agencies at both federal and state levels to strengthen the capabilities of Sarawakians, and especially SMEs. “We need to work hand in hand and more closely on how we continue to build the capability and the capacity of Sarawakians and especially the SME, and continue to grow the economy of Sarawak,” he said.
A new generation of members
SAMENTA National Secretary-General and National Digitalisation & AI Committee chairman Christopher Ng Kwong Eu also pointed to the strong presence of young entrepreneurs and startups at the Kuching chapter, describing them as a promising and still largely untapped pool of potential SAMENTA members.
What the programme delivered
The one-day programme was built around issues affecting SME competitiveness — AI and digitalisation, workforce capability, financing, market access and practical pathways for businesses to adopt new technology. Delegates were given direct access to government agencies, industry experts and solution providers, alongside programmes, funding and digitalisation support for SMEs.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Alibaba.com Malaysia channel director Simon Xu and Sarawak Skills chief technology officer Zakri Md Salleh.
The Kuching chapter forms one leg of SAMENTA’s Hyperlokal AI Fest tour, themed “Bringing AI home, empowering SMEs, one town at a time”.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
SAMENTA thanks the sponsors, partners and agencies whose support brought the Kuching chapter to Sarawak SMEs.
Sponsors
Our appreciation to Maybank, CGC, JobStreet, CelcomDigi, EVO and Funding Societies, whose sponsorship made the Kuching chapter possible.
Partners
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MySED) and PERKESO — strategic partners
Sarawak Skills — venue partner
Alibaba.com, Trinity42, POS Malaysia, edX and Fish Camp Learning — event partners
Next Stop: Sabah
The AI Fest tour continues with SAMENTA AI Fest 2026: The AI Playbook for Sabah SMEs on Monday, 26 October 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, at GA Space, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
SAMENTA Hyperlokal AI Fest Brings AI Home to Sarawak SMEs in Kuching
Kuching, Sarawak, 7 October 2026 — The SAMENTA Hyperlokal AI Fest and Government-Industry Dialogue 2026 – Kuching Chapter brought Sarawak’s SME community together at Sarawak Skills for a full-day programme on turning artificial intelligence into practical business results.
Officiating at the event, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat said businesses must identify where technology can create genuine value, and build the capabilities to use AI effectively and responsibly. Knowledge alone, he stressed, is not enough — businesses also need access to networks, capability development, markets, financing and the right partners.
“For Sarawak entrepreneurs, transformation should ultimately help businesses become more productive, competitive and prepared for future opportunities,” he said. He encouraged the SMEs in the room to make full use of the platform, learn from the speakers, speak directly with participating agencies and partners, build connections, and consider where digitalisation and AI can support their own business priorities.
Closing the exposure gap
SAMENTA Sarawak chairman Theophilus Wong, who delivered the opening remark, said SMEs in the state face a significant gap in exposure and opportunity. “It’s important for us to actually keep abreast and keep ourselves updated, or otherwise we will be very much left behind. I strongly believe Sarawak has a lot more potential,” he said.
Wong called for closer cooperation between the business community and government agencies at both federal and state levels to strengthen the capabilities of Sarawakians, and especially SMEs. “We need to work hand in hand and more closely on how we continue to build the capability and the capacity of Sarawakians and especially the SME, and continue to grow the economy of Sarawak,” he said.
A new generation of members
SAMENTA National Secretary-General and National Digitalisation & AI Committee chairman Christopher Ng Kwong Eu also pointed to the strong presence of young entrepreneurs and startups at the Kuching chapter, describing them as a promising and still largely untapped pool of potential SAMENTA members.
What the programme delivered
The one-day programme was built around issues affecting SME competitiveness — AI and digitalisation, workforce capability, financing, market access and practical pathways for businesses to adopt new technology. Delegates were given direct access to government agencies, industry experts and solution providers, alongside programmes, funding and digitalisation support for SMEs.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Alibaba.com Malaysia channel director Simon Xu and Sarawak Skills chief technology officer Zakri Md Salleh.
The Kuching chapter forms one leg of SAMENTA’s Hyperlokal AI Fest tour, themed “Bringing AI home, empowering SMEs, one town at a time”.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
SAMENTA thanks the sponsors, partners and agencies whose support brought the Kuching chapter to Sarawak SMEs.
Sponsors
Our appreciation to Maybank, CGC, JobStreet, CelcomDigi, EVO and Funding Societies, whose sponsorship made the Kuching chapter possible.
Partners
Next Stop: Sabah
The AI Fest tour continues with SAMENTA AI Fest 2026: The AI Playbook for Sabah SMEs on Monday, 26 October 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, at GA Space, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Register now for the Sabah AI Fest →
Kuching Chapter Poster
View the full event listing on Eventsize →
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SAMENTA — the first association of small and medium enterprises in Malaysia — has served Malaysian SMEs since 1986.
Sources
This article is based on reporting published by:
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