Awang Tengah (fourth right) together with (from third left) Abdullah, Len Talif, Zaidi and other officials in a photo call after the press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (May 15): The Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, will organise the Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition (SIAC) 2026 from Nov 23 to 25 at Pullman Hotel here.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the conference, held in conjunction with LCDA’s 45th anniversary, is expected to attract around 700 participants.
He said SIAC 2026 is the first large-scale international conference and exhibition in Malaysia and the Asean region dedicated specifically to Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
“The theme, ‘From Policy to Practice: Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development Through Social Impact Assessment’, will bridge policy dialogue, technical expertise and practical implementation,” he told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly Media Room yesterday.
Awang Tengah, who is also Second State Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, said the three-day event will highlight the role of SIA in strengthening community participation, stakeholder collaboration and social impact management amid accelerating development driven by urban transformation, infrastructure expansion and industrial growth.
He said the conference will also enhance regional collaboration, professional capacity and responsible investment practices, particularly in emerging economies.
According to him, the event reflects LCDA and the ministry’s commitment to sustainable and socially responsible development, especially through urban renewal, land development and community engagement initiatives.
He said it also aligns the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, supporting economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability.
“It will further position Sarawak as a regional hub for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and inclusive development practices, and the first host of an international SIA conference of this scale in Asean,” he said.
Awang Tengah said the conference will feature international and regional experts, including Prof Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Carlos T. Perez-Brito from the World Bank Singapore.
He added that experts and practitioners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines will also take part.
The programme will include plenary sessions, keynote addresses, technical presentations, panel discussions, workshops, ESG forums, exhibitions, university student poster competitions, networking sessions and site visits.
Highlights include a gala dinner and SIA Recognition Awards to recognise contributions to inclusive development.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate the conference on Nov 24, reflecting the state government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Also present were State Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi, and LCDA general manager Datu Zaidi Mahdi.