Liew (fifth left) with recipients of the Sabah State Arts Award (ASN) 2025. On her left is Abdul Karim. Second from right is the director of RTM Sabah, Mohd Yusni Mohamed Ali, who received the Arts Advocate (Media Organisation) Award on behalf of RTM.
KOTA KINABALU (Sept 21): Artists, cultural figures, creative practitioners, organizations, and institutions whose contributions have enhanced Sabah’s cultural heritage have been recognised at the Sabah State Arts Award (ASN) 2025.
The Sabah State Arts Icon 2025 is Abdul Karim bin Ghulam.
Hailed from Tenom, the 68-year-old freelance arts activist specialises in scriptwriting and theatre, and serves as adviser to Kelab Anak Teater Sabah.
He received a certificate of recognition, RM9,000 cash prize and a trophy from Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew at a hotel here on Sunday.
Academy of Creative Arts and Technology (ASTiF) is the winner of the Arts Advocate (Government/Corporate Agency).
The other winners are as follows:
Arts Advocate (Non-Governmental Organisation): SEAMEX Sabah Association Arts Advocate (Media Organisation): Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Special Awards Senior Category: The Male-Efficient
Junior Category: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tawau Also present was Mohd Radzi bin Omar, Deputy Director-General (Culture and Arts Sector), National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN).
ASN 2025, organized by JKKN Sabah with the support of the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, reaffirms its position as the state’s highest platform for recognizing artistic and cultural excellence, honouring accomplishments that reverberate nationally and internationally.
ASN 2025 embraces the notion that culture and the arts are a living record of civilization, a repository of collective memory, and a reflection of Sabah’s multicultural community. It reflects the beat of the times, brings together many ethnic groupings, and portrays Sabah’s image on the international stage.
In keeping with Malaysia MADANI and Sabah Maju Jaya’s goals, the arts are positioned not only as legacy, but also as a strategic vehicle for holistic development, balancing material advancement with spiritual depth and enduring values.
The post Freelance arts activist is Sabah State Arts Icon 2025 appeared first on Borneo Post Online.