Kota Kinabalu: Congratulations poured in for Junior Chamber International (JCI) Intan’s Golden Jubilee celebration at the Pacific Sutera Hotel on Friday night.
Leading the way was Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun who paid tribute to the founders of Malaysia’s pioneering all-ladies JCI organisation.
He said the trailblazers of JCI Intan created opportunities for the women who followed them, so every generation now has the chance to do the same for the next, a fitting way to honour their work.
“Fifty years is an achievement that deserves to be celebrated. Keeping a voluntary organisation going takes commitment, especially when members must also give time to their families, careers and other responsibilities.
“They faced resistance, but they persevered. They believed that women should have equal opportunities to learn, lead and serve, and they were prepared to work for those opportunities.
“For 50 years, JCI Intan has shown what women’s leadership can achieve. It has given generations of women the experience of organising activities, working with others and taking responsibility.
“Those lessons remain useful long after a member’s term of office has ended. We also recognise every president and member who carried the organisation forward,” said Masidi who graced the glittering occasion. Thirty-eight past and present presidents were present.
As JCI Intan began its next five decades, he called on experienced members to mentor younger counterparts by sharing what experience has taught them and giving the latter real responsibility, too, by letting them plan and lead projects with guidance when they need it.
Masidi said the chapter’s ability to mark its 50th milestone anniversary reflects youth, adding “The presence of founding leaders, past and present presidents, and members is a manifestation of youthfulness.”The DCM II wants the chapter to nurture talents of the young not just for personal growth and development but also for community service, in line with the celebration’s theme “Strengthening Youth Leadership in a Global Ecosystem”.
“An organisation such as JCI Intan gives young people the chance to hold leadership positions and organise community projects, thereby learning to manage a budget, work with a team and make decisions.”He concurred with Charter President JCI Sen Jovinia Solibun that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be embraced to better serve the community, this technology cannot replace humanity.
“Technology makes it easier to connect with others. But access to information does not remove the need for sound judgement. Young leaders must learn to check what they read, listen before forming an opinion and take responsibility for what they say and do. Leadership is about responsibility,” Masidi asserted.
Earlier, Solibun challenged the current generation of JCI Intan to not merely embrace AI but to strengthen Human Intelligence (HI) because the future will not belong simply to those who know how to use AI.
“It will belong to those who know how to use technology wisely, ethically and compassionately for the betterment of society. Imagine what our young members can achieve when the innovation of AI is combined with the heart of a JCI leader,” she said.
Stressing that the young members have inherited a chapter with a remarkable history, the Founder President urged them to learn from the struggles and successes of their predecessors. “Dream bigger. Use technology boldly but never lose your humanity. The greatest accolade is not the award you receive but the life you influence, the community you improve, and the leaders you inspire after you.”Solibun said she realised that a JCI chapter is never truly owned by its founders as they merely plant the seed, emphasising the need for generations after the founders to water it, nurture it and allow it to grow in their own way.
“So, let the achievements of JCI Intan’s past be our roots. Let our values be our trunk, innovation be our branches, and let the young leaders of today and tomorrow be the new leaves and fruits that propel the chapter into the future.”“Where do we go from here?” she posed. “My answer is ‘Forward’. Not backwards into nostalgia, not standing still in comfort but forward with courage, innovation and purpose. Let the next generation take JCI Intan where perhaps we, the founders, could never have imagined. And when the chapter celebrates another glorious milestone many years from now, may the young leaders of that generation look back and say they did not merely inherit a great legacy. They had the courage to build an even greater one.”JCI Malaysia National President, JCI Sen Vincent Leng, who also spoke, congratulated JCI Intan on the chapter’s 50 years of leadership, contribution and impact.
Describing the jubilee as a moment to look back at its glorious history that has shaped the organisation into what it is today, he said it was also to mark the beginning of its next chapter and future.
“Behind the 50 years of success and remarkable journey, we have seen generations of powerful and inspiring women. What makes their contributions even more meaningful is that these women assume so many different roles in their lives. They are daughters, wives, mothers, entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders at the same time.
“Despite all these responsibilities, they still generously volunteer their time and dedicate themselves to JCI and the community. Every step taken has inspired others through their dedication and spirit of servant leadership.
“On top of it, each of them carried the strength, values and leadership of JCI Intan onto the national stage, contributing not only to the legacy of JCI Intan, but also to the history of JCI Malaysia.” Notably, the all-ladies chapter produced five national presidents, namely JCI Sen Datuk Adeline Leong, JCI Sen Li Yo Wei, Solibun, JCI Sen Arlena Awang Chee, and JCI Sen Teresa Alberto.
In her address, Organising Chairman JCI Sen Chai Moi Len thanked the Head of State Tun Musa Aman for the time accorded to JCI Intan during their recent courtesy call and for his support and encouragement in various ways. She also expressed the organisation’s appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for the generous contribution of RM20,000 to enable the celebration to get off the ground.
Meanwhile, JCI Intan 2026 President Cynthia Lasimbang, the 50th president, praised the founding leaders, saying their passion, commitment, and hard work were the foundation of everything the chapter has built until today. “Every milestone we celebrate tonight exists because of your dedication, energy and shared effort.”Among the distinguished guests were former Chief Minister JCI Sen Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, Assistant Minister of Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Rina Jainal, Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Roger Chin, former Nominated Assemblywoman Datuk Amisah Yassin, and former State Attorney-General Datuk Mariati Robert.