KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has contributed RM5 million to the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Chair at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the contribution, made in the form of a waqf by the Sarawak Government, aims to support student development at the university, particularly in research.

“At the launch of the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Chair at UKM, they asked me how it could be done, and what amount should be endowed. They mentioned RM5 million, so I approved it.

“This waqf fund will be channelled to our students to undertake research, and this is our contribution towards improving the economic well-being of Muslims,” he said.

He was speaking to officiate the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Chair Conference 2025 held at the Sarawak Islamic Complex, here on Wednesday.

The Sarawak Premier added that the establishment of the Chair serves to commemorate and study the contributions of Sheikh Othman Abdul Wahab, a renowned Sarawakian Islamic scholar, while also promoting research, publications, and programmes relevant to his legacy and intellectual thought.

Also present were Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, President of the Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti, Datu Kipli Yasin, Director of the Sarawak Islamic Department (JAIS), Mual Suaud, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships Affairs) Professor Ts Dr Faizal Mohamed, along with other distinguished guests. -UKASnews