Datu Dr. Hjh. Rashidah Hj. Bolhassan
Rashidah Bolhassan, BLS (UiTM), MLS (Syracuse), EMBA (Ohio), PhD (VUW), served as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak State Library (SSL) from 2003 to 2020. Her tenure was marked by significant innovation in library services, which garnered several state, national and international recognitions. From 2021 to 2022, she was the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development, where she focused on policy development and collaborations in critical areas of ageing and inclusivity. In 2023, Dr. Rashidah was appointed special officer to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, with a portfolio focusing on culture and heritage, underscoring her strong commitment to knowledge management and indigenous knowledge systems.
Her contributions to the library profession are extensive. She has held prominent leadership roles in the Librarians’ Association of Malaysia (PPM), serving as President from 2020 to 2022 and as Immediate Past President from 2022 to 2026. She served as Chair of the Council of State Library Directors, Malaysia, from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2020. She is also an active volunteer with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Her involvement in the Literacy and Reading Committee (2014–2017, 2023–2027) focused on voicing the importance of early literacy. From 2021 to 2023, she was a member of IFLA’s Culture and Heritage Advisory Council, where she contributed to discussions on integrating cultural heritage into library practices. She served on the PPM team to bid for IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), and on the National Committee (2017-2018) for WLIC Kuala Lumpur 2018, for the Congress to be held in Kuala Lumpur for the first time.
Dr Rashidah has also taken on several significant appointments in governance and mentorship. As Deputy Chair of SSL's Board of Management (2023–2024; 2025–2026), a Board Trustee and Mentor for the Women Leadership Foundation (2022–), and a Member of the National Council for Women and Family for the terms 2023–2025 and 2025–2027, she has positioned herself as a key figure in advocating for women's rights and family welfare. Her appointment to the Governing Council of Yayasan Sime Darby in May 2024, together with her designation as Adjunct Professor at UNIMAS’ Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts in 2024, underscores her commitment to education, the arts, and leadership development.
Dr. Rashidah has been appointed to the National Council for Culture for the 2025–2027 term, highlighting her active role in shaping cultural policies and initiatives. In addition, she serves as an advisor to the Islamic Information Centre in Sarawak (2023–2025) and the Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institutes (effective 2024), cementing her influence in cultural and community development.
Most recently, she was appointed Adjunct Professor in the Department of Library Science at Universiti Malaya for the 2026–2027 term. She was featured in the Hall of Fame at the Malaysia Pavilion, Osaka World Expo 2025, alongside other Malaysian eminent women leaders.
Datu Dr. Hjh. Rashidah Hj. Bolhassan
Board of Trustee