[Profile] Alena Murang: The Artivist Bridging Borneo and the World

The Profile Snapshot

In the dynamic landscape of Malaysian business and culture, some leaders build empires of steel and data, while others weave legacies of heritage and heart. Alena Murang stands firmly in the latter category, an ‘artivist’ (artist-activist) whose canvas is the soul of Borneo and whose enterprise is its preservation.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Alena Murang
• 🏷️ Role: Renowned Sape’ Musician, Cultural Entrepreneur & Founder of ARTIVIST ASIA
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Cultural Storytelling & Heritage Innovation

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Murang and her ensemble of fellow Sarawakian musicians have earned a prestigious invitation to perform at a major cultural festival in Japan. This isn't merely a concert tour; it's a diplomatic mission of culture, placing the intricate sounds of the sape’—a traditional lute of the Orang Ulu communities—on a revered international stage. The headline-grabbing hook is the team's concurrent crowdfunding campaign, seeking RM180,000 to cover the substantial costs of travel, logistics, and production for the entire team. This move transforms a cultural accolade into a public-facing business case, testing the market's willingness to invest in intangible cultural capital.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

For Alena Murang, the Japan invitation is less a destination and more a pivotal waypoint in a lifelong journey. Reflecting on the path, she emphasizes that her work has always been about creating a sustainable ecosystem for indigenous arts, not just performances. "Every string plucked on the sape’ carries a story of our rivers, our forests, our ancestors," she shares, her conviction palpable even through written word. "But preservation isn't about keeping it in a museum case. It's about making it relevant, making it breathe in the modern world so the next generation sees its value."

She candidly admits that the decision to crowdfund was strategic. It was a test of shared ownership. "We could have sought a single corporate sponsor," she notes, "but this is more powerful. When hundreds of people contribute, even a small amount, they become stakeholders in this mission. They are not just funding a trip; they are voting for Malaysian heritage to be seen globally." Her leadership style here is one of inclusive stewardship, transforming patrons into a community of cultural ambassadors.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Pioneered as one of the first professional female sape’ players from her community, breaking traditional gender norms in the art form.
• Founded ARTIVIST ASIA, a platform and consultancy that strategically bridges indigenous art with contemporary industries like fashion, media, and corporate branding.
• Performed at iconic global venues including the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Rainforest World Music Festival, consistently using the stage to educate audiences on Sarawakian heritage.
• Successfully led previous community-based projects and productions that blend digital media with traditional storytelling, proving the commercial and social viability of heritage innovation.

The Editor's Take

Alena Murang represents a critical, often undervalued, archetype in Malaysia's commercial ecosystem: the Cultural Entrepreneur. Her leadership is not measured solely in revenue but in resonance—the depth of cultural impact and the sustainability of heritage as a viable ‘business’. She operates at the intersection of art, advocacy, and acumen, demonstrating that protecting identity can be a proactive, innovative, and crowd-funded venture.

Her leadership metrics reflect this unique blend:

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10 – Sees cultural heritage not as a relic but as a dynamic, exportable asset.
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10 – Translates vision into tangible projects, performances, and now, complex international logistics funded by the public.
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 8/10 – Is reshaping how the business and arts sectors perceive the value and application of indigenous culture.

"Our culture is our first technology. It's the original software for living sustainably and meaningfully. My job is to keep that software updated, without losing its essential code."