This post is my self-nomination for the Ubuntu Community Council 2026 elections. For more details on the elections, see the Call for Nominations: 2026 Ubuntu Community Council.
Who am I?
My name is Khairul Aizat Kamarudzzaman, also known as fenris or ejat. I have been a passionate advocate and active contributor within the Ubuntu ecosystem since 2008.
Over the past nearly two decades, my focus has been on community building, bridging geographic divides, and promoting open-source adoption. My key involvements include:
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UbuCon Asia & Global Events: Serving as Global Team Organizer for UbuCon Asia since 2021. I have helped scale this event across Malaysia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Nepal, building strong networks across diverse tech communities.
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Ubuntu Malaysia LoCo Team (
ubuntu-my): As Team Leader, I organize events and drive localized integration, specifically championing Ubuntu adoption across educational institutions and public sectors. -
UbuCon Europe: I believe in cross-pollination between regions. After volunteering on the ground at the Canonical booth in 2025, I returned to UbuCon Europe 2026 as a speaker, presenting on how we can integrate localized, sovereign AI assistants (Newelle) directly into the Linux desktop.
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Broader Open Source Leadership: I have spent over a decade on the Ubuntu Membership Board, serve as a GNOME Foundation Member (GNOME Asia Summit organizing committee), and contribute to The Document Foundation (LibreOffice) and Kubuntu testing teams.
Why am I running for the Community Council?
The Ubuntu project is evolving rapidly, and as our technology grows more complex, our community governance needs to ensure no region or contributor gets left behind. I am running because I want to bring a grassroots, bridge-building perspective to the Community Council, complemented by a strong focus on emerging technologies.
If elected, my focus will be on:
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Amplifying Regional & Emerging Voices The Global South and APAC regions are experiencing massive open-source growth, yet local teams often operate with limited bandwidth. I want to advocate for better structural support and clearer communication channels between these emerging communities and Canonical leadership, ensuring their unique perspectives shape our shared future.
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Fostering a Welcoming Space for Next-Gen Innovation Ubuntu remains a premier platform because of its innovators. Whether developers are working on localized AI solutions, data-compliant ecosystems, or traditional packaging, the Community Council must ensure our community structures actively welcome and support the people pushing these boundaries.
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Transparent and Empathetic Governance Conflict resolution and governance require more than just policy; they require active listening and cultural awareness. I will bring my long-standing experience in cross-regional community organization to ensure that Code of Conduct matters and community disputes are handled fairly, objectively, and with empathy to prevent contributor burnout.
Final notes
I would like to extend a massive thank-you to all the local LoCo organizers, UbuCon volunteers, and existing Community Council members who have worked tirelessly to keep this project welcoming. Over the years, I have seen firsthand the incredible value of strong, transparent communication between grassroots advocates and Canonical.
I have always prided myself on being open to feedback, separating personal emotions from professional responsibilities, and building bridges where there are gaps. I would be incredibly honored to bring this perspective to the Community Council and serve the global Ubuntu family in this capacity.
Thank you for your trust, support, and consideration!
- Name: Khairul Aizat Kamarudzzaman
- Launchpad ID:
~fenris - Wiki Profile: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/fenris