Abang Johari Proposes Institute For Contemporary Leadership

KUCHING, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- An institute dedicated to formalise contemporary leadership training needs to be established to ensure future leaders are nurtured, trained and equipped with the right principles to navigate new challenges, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

He said the institute’s core focus areas should be towards producing leaders with strategic foresight to anticipate challenges and navigate uncertainty with confidence, while embedding trustworthiness to ensure ethical governance and accountability.

“Leadership excellence cannot be left to chance. Leaders must be nurtured, trained, mentored and equipped with the principles of strategic foresight, trustworthiness and inclusivity … and this requires a sustained effort of a dedicated institution,” he said.

Speaking at the Contemporary Leadership International Summit (CLIS) 2025 organised by the Institute of Management Sarawak (MASA) and Malaysian Research and Education Foundation (MyREF) here today, he said great leaders are not born but are developed through structured training, continuous learning and mentoring.

“Leadership excellence does not happen overnight; it requires structured training, continuous learning and mentoring and inculcation of a strong foundation in good universal principles,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s strategic vision had been driven by economic growth and digital transformation to place the state ahead in innovation and sustainability, which requires leaders with foresight to align their actions with long-term objectives while remaining agile in an unpredictable world.

He noted that public confidence in leadership around the world had eroded due to inconsistent governance and ethical compromises, but at the same time transparent governance had fostered investors confidence, ensuring economic stability and strengthen public trust.

“A leader’s legacy is not measured by his or her time in office, but by the trust he or she leaves behind,” he added.

Meanwhile, MyREF chairman, Emeritus Prof Datuk Abang Abdullah Abang Ali said 1,200 participants signed up for CLIS 2025 which aimed to explore the concept, significance and practical application of contemporary leadership grounded in knowledge, competencies and values.

The two-day summit which started today features 12 presenters that among others, include Oxford University’s former Nelson Mandela Fellow, Dr Basil Mustafa and Science Adviser to the Prime Minister and Malaysian Science Academy (ASM) president, Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen (rpt: Azzman Shariffadeen).

-- BERNAMA