Kuching: 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 highlighted the need for an institute focused on producing leaders with strategic foresight to anticipate challenges and navigate uncertainty confidently, while embedding trustworthiness to ensure ethical governance and accountability.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abang Johari stressed that leadership excellence cannot be left to chance and requires a sustained effort from a dedicated institution. Speaking at the Contemporary Leadership International Summit (CLIS) 2025, organised by the Institute of Management Sarawak (MASA) and Malaysian Research and Education Foundation (MyREF), he emphasized that great leaders are developed through structured training, continuous learning, and mentoring.

He further elaborated that Sarawak’s strategic vision had been driven by economic growth and digital transformation, necessitating leaders with foresight who can align their actions with long-term objectives while remaining agile in an unpredictable world. He noted the erosion of public confidence in leadership due to inconsistent governance and ethical compromises, but also highlighted that transparent governance fosters investor confidence, ensuring economic stability and strengthening public trust.

Meanwhile, MyREF chairman, Emeritus Prof Datuk Abang Abdullah Abang Ali, mentioned that 1,200 participants signed up for CLIS 2025, aiming to explore contemporary leadership’s concept, significance, and practical application grounded in knowledge, competencies, and values. The two-day summit, which started today, features 12 presenters, including 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.