After years of moving between temporary spaces, the Leadership Institute of Sarawak Civil Service is set to relocate to its first purpose-built campus in Jalan Sultan Tengah — a milestone that reflects both its journey and future as Sarawak’s leadership training hub.
A Place to Belong for Leadership Institute
For years, the Leadership Institute of Sarawak Civil Service (LISCS) has shaped the leaders behind Sarawak’s public service — yet it has done so without ever having a permanent home of its own.
Now, that chapter is changing.
Rising along Jalan Sultan Tengah, a new purpose-built campus stands as more than just a physical expansion.
It marks a long-awaited milestone in the Institute’s journey — one that reflects both its evolving role and the growing importance of leadership development within the state.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad, described the development as a defining step for Sarawak’s public sector.
“The development of the new campus marks a significant milestone in advancing leadership capacity within Sarawak’s public service.
“Beyond its comprehensive and state-of-the-art facilities, the campus stands as a clear testament to the Sarawak government’s strong commitment to human capital development — particularly in nurturing a high-calibre cadre of public sector leaders,” he said.
But beyond policy and planning, the campus carries a more personal meaning for those who have long been part of the institute’s journey.
For years, LISCS operated across temporary spaces, adapting to what was available while continuing its role in shaping leaders within the Sarawak Civil Service.
And so, as the campus comes into view, it is not just another building nearing completion — it is a long-awaited arrival, and for many, a place that finally feels like their own.
A space comes alive
For the first time as a group, about 40 staff members walked through the nearly completed campus last Friday, experiencing spaces that had until then existed only in plans and imagination.
Some moved slowly through the corridors, taking in the scale of the building. Others paused by the windows, drawn not only to the expansive compound but also to the landscape beyond.
From certain vantage points, the silhouette of Mount Santubong rises in the distance, while the Sungai Santubong winds quietly through the surroundings.
Like their current base in Semenggok, which is nestled within a kampung, the new campus remains embraced by greenery but in a setting that feels more open and closer to the city.
The balance is subtle but meaningful: a space that retains the calm of its kampung roots, while offering greater accessibility and presence.
Chief operating officer Dr Intan Rahmah Tazuddin said the visit was intended to familiarise staff across all levels with the facility, as earlier inspections had largely involved only the management team.
“This time, we want everyone to have a sense of the space — to visualise the classrooms, the multi-purpose hall, the dining facilities, and how these can be adapted for discussions or focus groups,” she said.
At approximately 95 per cent completion, the building already stands with quiet confidence, with only interior works and furniture installation remaining.
Even so, the campus already reflects both scale and purpose.
The classrooms are designed to shift from structured learning settings to collaborative discussions, while the multi-purpose hall and dining areas offer spaces for interaction beyond formal sessions.
For Maureen Jono, the head of department for Facilities Management, the visit was not her first. Having been to the site several times, she had watched the building evolve from structure to space.
“This is our first permanent home,” she said, her words carrying both pride and relief.
“The compound is spacious, the surroundings are beautiful, and even though it is slightly far from the city, the response from staff has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“We cannot wait to move,” she added.
A journey to belong
That anticipation is rooted in a long journey.
LISCS, formerly known as the Centre for Modern Management (CMM), once operated from the former State Complex in Jalan Simpang Tiga before relocating to KM20, Jalan Kuching-Serian in Semenggok in 2016.
Since then, Semenggok has served as a temporary anchor — a place where programmes continued and ideas took shape, even within limitations.
Training sessions were often conducted at external venues, including hotels, which required constant coordination and adjustment.
The move to Jalan Sultan Tengah changes that.
For the first time, the Institute will operate within a campus designed specifically for its role — a comprehensive training hub that brings together learning, accommodation, and administration in one place.
The facility includes eight training rooms, each accommodating up to 30 participants, as well as two auditoriums, each with a capacity of up to 200. It also features meeting rooms, office spaces, and hostel accommodation for up to 180 occupants.
The campus will also house collaborative partners such as the Centre of Excellence (SCOPE), reinforcing its role as a centralised platform for civil service training in Sarawak.
“Previously, we relied heavily on external venues. Now, with our own facility, we can fully utilise the space and centralise all courses here,” Maureen said.
Shaping what comes next
But beyond functionality, the campus carries something less tangible — a sense of identity.
Walking through the building, staff are beginning to imagine how they will grow within it — where discussions will unfold, where leadership is shaped, and where new ideas for public service will take form.
For an institute entrusted with developing the capabilities, mindset, and leadership of the Sarawak Civil Service, the space itself matters.
LISCS has long played a central role in designing and delivering training programmes, workshops, and leadership initiatives that equip civil servants to serve an evolving state.
Now, those efforts will be anchored in a place built specifically for that purpose.
That vision is central to what Dr Intan hopes the campus will become — not just a training centre, but a hub where ideas are exchanged, leadership is nurtured, and the future of the civil service is continuously shaped.
Looking ahead, she said the campus is expected to be officially launched between late July and August, subject to final preparations, with the event anticipated to involve Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We hope this campus will benefit not just the civil service, but the people of Sarawak as a whole.
“There is also an aspiration from top management for LISCS to become one of the best in Asia — why not even better than Singapore — as a hub for human capital development,” she emphasised.
It is an ambitious vision, grounded in what is already taking shape.
For now, the visit marks a quiet milestone — a moment where the Institute’s employees walked through an unfinished building and saw what it could become.
Soon, the rooms will be filled. The halls will carry voices. The spaces will take on the rhythms of learning, training, and leadership in motion.
And when that happens, the campus in Jalan Sultan Tengah will no longer be just a structure.
It will be, at last, a place that holds the story of LISCS — and the people who have carried it this far.
