Arrival and reconnecting with the community
When I arrived at the Malaysian Wikimedia Strategy Summit on 29 August 2026, one of the first things I noticed was how familiar and unfamiliar the Wikimedia community could feel at the same time.
I met again with Wikimedians whom I had not seen in a while, while also getting to know new members of the community. Seeing familiar faces again while meeting new people reminded me that the Wikimedia community is constantly growing, while the friendships formed through Wikimedia activities can continue even after an event ends.
But as the day went on, I realized that the summit was about much more than simply bringing Wikimedians together. It gave us an opportunity to think about where the Wikimedia movement in Malaysia is going, what challenges we face, and what role each of us can play in shaping its future.
Many Communities, One Movement
The opening sessions gave me a better understanding of the wider Wikimedia movement, especially the importance of communities being able to represent and preserve their own cultures.That part really stood out to me because Malaysia has so many different communities and cultures. I think it is important that the people who actually come from these communities are involved in documenting their own history, language, traditions and knowledge.
The ESEAP Hub session also introduced me to the work of the ESEAP Hub and how Malaysian Wikimedians can get involved. Ms Feliani also asked about the activities and news from different communities in Wikimedia Malaysia. It made me realise that there are actually many things happening across the region that I had not known about before.
Bluster Jainon, a former president of Kelab Wiki Kent, also shared the story of how WikiTour came about. Hearing how an idea could eventually become an actual Wikimedia activity made me think about what kinds of projects we could create ourselves.
Mr Sakti Pramudya from the Wikimedia Foundation also shared updates from the Foundation, including some of the challenges brought by AI. With more people getting information through AI tools, the reliability of the information they receive becomes even more important. This made me think about the role Wikimedia projects can play in making reliable, community-created knowledge available. He also encouraged us to think about how we can make Wikipedia interesting to Gen Z, rather than assuming that young people will automatically want to read it.
Turning Culture Into Contribution
During the Movement session, we looked at how the Wikimedia movement in Malaysia has developed so far. We also had an activity where we could write down ideas for events that could encourage more contributions. This was probably one of my favourite parts because I got to suggest some ideas that were connected to my own culture and interests.
I made some contribution by suggesting some ideas in the vision board such as WikiTombolog, which would focus on documenting birds, especially endemic birds in Sabah. Another idea was WikiTalun— going camping in the jungle, learning traditional jungle survival practices from our own communities, and documenting what we learn. I also suggested WikiBasaan, which would focus on preserving traditional clothing through photography and documentation. Seeing all of these suggestions being included in the presentation later made me really happy. It was a small thing, but it made me feel that my ideas were actually being heard.
It also made me realise that contributing to Wikimedia does not always have to start with something complicated. Sometimes it can start with something that is already around us — our clothes, our environment, our traditions or the knowledge passed down in our communities.
The Challenge of Keeping Contributors
The Community session made me think about something I have seen myself in Kelab Wiki Kent: getting people to attend an event is one thing, but getting them to come back and continue editing is another. We discussed why some people stop contributing after an event ends. Sometimes people attend because they have to, especially when an activity is a requirement. Once the event is over, there may not be enough follow-up to keep them involved.
From my own observation in Kelab Wiki Kent, only a small percentage of participants eventually become active returning editors. That made the discussion feel very familiar to me. We talked about ways to make Wikimedia Malaysia easier and more interesting for newcomers, while also finding ways to build stronger connections within the community. For me, this was an important reminder that community building does not end when an event ends.
Making Wikimedia More Fun
The Ecosystem session was another interesting one because we talked about how the Wikimedia ecosystem could become more engaging. I suggested the idea of gamification. For example, what if reaching milestones such as 10 edits could unlock something on the Wikimedia interface, such as a different theme, skin, mascot or other small visual changes? It may sound like a small thing, but I think these kinds of features could make contributing feel more rewarding, especially for new users who are not yet deeply involved in Wikimedia.
The Future session then brought the discussion back to where the Malaysian Wikimedia community could go next. We talked about members taking on more responsibilities, whether as administrators, community representatives, coordinators or people who help organise activities. That made me think about my own role too. I have always seen myself as someone who is still learning, but maybe being part of a community also means slowly learning how to take responsibility within it.
A Surprise Vote of Confidence
Later that evening was the AGM, which was my first time attending a Wikimedia Malaysia AGM. I expected it to be quite formal, but it was actually more relaxed than I imagined. There were jokes and casual conversations in between the more formal parts of the meeting, so I did not feel as nervous as I thought I would.
Something unexpected happened when my name was nominated twice — once for Treasurer and once for Auditor. I was not selected for either position, but honestly, I was still grateful. Someone thought I was capable enough to be nominated. That meant something to me, especially because I still feel like I have a lot to learn. Maybe next time, I will be more prepared.
Breaking the Ice Over Noodles
One of the most memorable parts of the gathering was actually something outside the formal programme. We had Kelahan Mi, a noodle picnic at Stadium Merdeka. Before that, I did not really know what “kelahan” meant. I only understood it as something derived from kelahor perkelahan, meaning a picnic. It was a simple activity, but it was a good way to break the ice. We could just sit, eat, talk and catch up without thinking about sessions or presentations. Sometimes those informal conversations are what make a community feel like a community.
When Malaysia Came Together
After the AGM, we went to Stadium Merdeka to watch the M118 light up as part of the National Day celebration and countdown. The atmosphere was really fun. Sabah songs were played, and people started dancing. I joined in with the cultural dances, and at one point we formed a circle and danced while moving around together. That kind of circle dancing is something I often see at celebrations and parties in Sabah, so seeing it happen there felt very familiar.
What I found interesting was that I did not know most of the people around me. But when I saw people wearing Sabah traditional clothing and heard Sabah songs playing, I somehow felt connected to them. We were strangers, but for that moment, we were all just enjoying the same music and dancing together. It reminded me that culture can connect people even when they have never met before.
Documenting What We Learn
The next day, we visited Muzium Tekstil Merdeka. I learned new things about Malaysian and Southeast Asian batik, and of course, I took photos along the way with the intention of uploading them to Wikimedia Commons. It was a nice way to end the experience because I was not only learning about culture — I was also thinking about how I could help document what I had learned.
What I Took Home
The summit gave me much more than information about Wikimedia’s plans. I learned more about the movement, the challenges communities are facing, the threats brought by new technology, and the different ideas people have for attracting and retaining contributors. But more importantly, it made me think about what I can do myself.
As someone from a Kadazandusun background, there are many things around me that could be documented. The summit gave me more confidence to think about projects related to my own culture, whether that is traditional clothing, local wildlife, traditional knowledge or other parts of everyday life.
I also realised that Wikimedia is not only about editing Wikipedia or uploading photographs. It is also about the people who contribute, the communities behind the knowledge, and the relationships we build along the way. I left the summit with a lot of ideas in my head. I may not be ready to do all of them yet, but I think I finally have a better idea of where I want to start.