Sunway University Press was honoured to present Xántus and Borneo, co-authored by Prof. Tamas Kiss, Christopher Higgs and Balazs Venkovits, to YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.
The book was presented during a commemorative event at the Sarawak State Library, officiated by YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hungarian naturalist and scientist János Xántus.
The event celebrated the historical connections between Hungary and Sarawak and highlighted Xántus’s legacy as a 19th-century Hungarian scientist whose work continues to connect the two regions today. Sunway University Press congratulates the Embassy of Hungary in Malaysia and H.E. Dr Sándor Sipos, Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia, for organising this meaningful commemoration. A carved wooden plaque was also placed in the library’s garden to honour Xántus’s memory.
The event brought together key representatives of Sarawak’s heritage community, including Pn Anielia Siam, Director of the Sarawak Museum, and Pn Salina Zawawi, Deputy CEO of Services and Head of Library Services at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
Through Xántus and Borneo, Sunway University Press is proud to contribute to preserving and sharing a fascinating chapter in the shared history of Hungary and Sarawak, demonstrating the important role books can play in cultural diplomacy and international understanding.
