The Malaysian Islamic Skills Institute of Sarawak (IKMAS) was established as a result of the unofficial meeting of the Religious Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore (MABIMS) for the 5th time on 3 and 4 August 1994 in Langkawi Island, Kedah. Following the meeting, the Cabinet meeting on 21 September 1994 agreed to establish an institution named Pensantren ASEAN which was agreed to be built in Sarawak. Sarawak state government under the leadership of His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Hj. Abdul Taib Mahmud was honored to award 30 acres of land in Telaga Air for the construction of the complex.