Business Events Sarawak has appointed Jason Tan Chin Foo as acting CEO, succeeding long‑serving industry figure Amelia Roziman, who stepped down last week after a 20‑year tenure.
Tan, who joined BESarawak in 2012, assumes the role with immediate effect,. Tan brings 18 years of experience across hospitality, business development, research, marketing, and communications.
Roziman announced on LinkedIn that she has formed the LegacyMade consultancy, which advises on the positive impact conference and incentive organisers can give to the localities where their events are held.
“This is not a goodbye,” Roziman said in her social media post. “It is simply a new beginning – and an open invitation to keep building, learning, and making a difference together.
“I will be leading this consultancy as its chief consultant, with a widened scope that reaches across sectors.”
Local media in Sarawak and international business event publications have described Roziman’s exit as both significant and symbolic for the region’s industry. Her departure marks the close of an era during which Sarawak emerged as one of Asia’s most recognised legacy‑driven business events destinations.
Roziman is credited with helping position Sarawak as a legacy hub aligned with the state’s Post‑Covid‑19 Development Strategy 2030. Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, was quoted in the TIN Media B2B travel website as commending Roziman for her “mindset of innovation, responsibility and long‑term positive impact.”
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Sarawak‑based media outlets highlighted Roziman’s transformative impact, reporting that she oversaw 31 destination marketing and innovation awards and maintained a 100 per cent bid‑win rate since 2022.
Roziman became an international figure in the business events industry and was first woman in Asia inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders in 2023.
With Tan stepping into the top job, BESarawak aims to maintain strategic continuity. The Borneo Post reported that the leadership shift was structured to ensure stability as BESarawak continues strengthening Sarawak’s standing as “Malaysia and Borneo’s legacy capital for business events.”
Further reports said Roziman opted for early retirement and that her new role at LegacyMade will see her working with global clients after spearheading a series of impact‑driven initiatives during her time at BESarawak.
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In a statement issued by BESarawak, Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operations) and Chairman of BESarawak, said: “Jason is well positioned for this role, with strong industry insight and a clear commitment to collaboration and collective impact. The board is confident that his strategic leadership will further strengthen BESarawak and advance the business events industry to new levels of performance and impact.”
Tan said: “I am honoured by the trust placed in me to take on this role at a crucial time for BESarawak. I firmly believe collaboration is key to strengthening Sarawak’s business events sector and delivering sustainable, long‑term impact across industries and communities.”
