KUCHING: A total of 19 senior officers from the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) recently participated in a two-day career development intensive titled "Thinking and Acting Like a Leader."

Held from January 31 to February 1, 2026, the program was designed to sharpen the leadership acumen of Sarawak’s top administrative tier

The initiative was organised by the Leadership Institute of Sarawak Civil Service (LISCS) in collaboration with the Human Resource Management and Development Unit of the Premier’s Department, alongside their strategic partner, the Razak School of Government (RSOG).

The primary objective of the session was to fortify leadership mindsets, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities among senior officials to ensure alignment with Sarawak’s ambitious development agenda.

The programme featured high-level involvement from the state's top leadership, including Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, and Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Wan Omar.

These distinguished figures shared their extensive insights and personal experiences regarding the nuances of public sector governance.

During his address, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar characterised leadership as a "calling" rather than a mere job title.

He emphasised that effective leadership begins with the right mindset, requiring a fundamental shift from reactive management to visionary leadership to shape the state's future.

He further clarified that impactful leadership must be anchored in practicality, seamless teamwork, and unwavering integrity.

According to the Sarawak Secretary, leadership is ultimately defined by one's level of responsibility, a willingness to engage in continuous learning, and the ability to translate intentions into tangible outcomes that benefit the organisation, the people, and Sarawak as a whole.

Adding a legal and ethical dimension to the discussion, Dato Sri Saferi highlighted the role of public sector leaders as trustees of the state’s legal, institutional, and governance frameworks.

He underscored the vital importance of principled decision-making and strong organizational alignment to safeguard Sarawak’s long-term progress.

The programme also looked toward the horizon of modern governance with a panel session titled "Digital Thinking, AI, and the Future."

This segment explored the transformative role of digital innovation and artificial intelligence in reshaping the leadership landscape and the future of public service delivery. - UKASnews