KUCHING: Sarawak must strengthen governance, enhance leadership quality and promote collaboration among its statutory bodies and government-linked companies (GLCs) to achieve its vision of becoming a high-income and sustainable economy.
Having said this, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki explained as custodians of the state’s strategic assets and drivers of economic growth, both statutory bodies and GLCs carry vital responsibility to translate government strategies into tangible outcomes that deliver lasting benefits to the people of Sarawak.
“In these remaining years, we must accelerate implementation, strengthen conditions and uphold the highest standards of governance to ensure that every policy, investment and initiative moves Sarawak closer to the goals of prosperity, inclusiveness and sustainability.
“To do so, these institutions must not only be efficient and accountable but also adaptable, collaborative and forward looking. These are the qualities that define future ready governance,” he said in his welcoming address at the Sarawak Corporate Leadership Summit 2025 held at a resort, here today (Oct 8).
This year’s summit brought together 115 participants from statutory bodies and GLCs across Sarawak, reflecting the depth of leadership commitment within the State’s public and corporate sectors.
Abu Bakar said the summit provides a platform for leaders and decision-makers to reflect, share experiences and explore ideas on leadership excellence, governance and strategic collaboration.
He highlighted three key pillars namely leadership, governance and collaboration as essential to ensuring that Sarawak’s institutions remain resilient and effective in driving economic and social progress under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“Future ready governance must integrate digital tools, performance-based outcomes and sustainability principles to make our institutions both compliant and competitive,” he said, adding that departments and agencies must continuously “revisit, rethink and recharge” their systems to stay relevant.
He also stressed that collaboration is vital in addressing complex challenges such as finance, technology and sustainability.
“No department, statutory body or GLC can succeed in isolation. Collaborative leadership promotes the breaking down of silos, alignment of strategies and building of partnerships across sectors,” he said.
The summit saw the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE) and the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM), witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The partnership will see the development of the Sarawak Directors Academy and Directors Registry; a five-year roadmap designed to nurture a pipeline of capable directors and empowered board leaders and the curation of strategic platforms such as the Sarawak GLC Leadership Conference and Development Programme Series for the state.
Recognising lifelong learning as the engine of resilient and forward-looking governance, the Academy will serve as the platform for leaders to access internationally benchmarked programmes, certifications, networks and events, to continuously sharpen their skills and stay ahead in a dynamic global environment.
