KUCHING, March 13: Calculated risks should be taken quickly to lead Sarawak towards becoming a developed, high income state by the year 2030.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, through his efforts in propelling Sarawak into the digital economy as well as restoring the state’s rights to its oil and gas resources, said these were among the calculated risks he had taken to ensure that Sarawak and its people would move quickly into Industry 4.0.
Speaking at the Leadership Institute’s Appreciation Night at a local hotel in the city on Monday, he told attendees, comprising civil servants as well as Leadership Institute board members, that a good leader should be able to bring his people forward and dare to take risks and face challenges up ahead.
Whether he succeeds or not, it would be up to the people to decide when the time comes during elections.
“Among the traits of a good leader are: he must know the situation he is in; he must be able to bring a team or followers together to share ideas and information on the situation; he must dare to take risks, especially when he is a political leader; and he must have a vision, (know) why he is taking the risk. Otherwise if you are scared to take risks, don’t be a leader.
“I have taken calculated risks in enabling Sarawak to achieve digital economy and Industry 4.0 by the year 2030. I have achieved setting up Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in line with my efforts to restore our rights to our oil and gas resources. I took that risk because I am confident that we have legal arguments in our favour, and we are on the right track.
“Our position is clear. The Federal Constitution is the supreme law. But if it is not consistent with our state law then it is considered void. Sarawak has regulatory control over its oil and gas resources. I am not afraid of taking that risk,” he said.
On that note, he lauded the efforts by the Leadership Institute, which is headed by State Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, which has helped in his efforts to propel the state towards a digital economy, by improving how the state civil services work through embracing technology.
“l feel a deep sense of appreciation to the institute for the kind of work you are doing to develop the leaders and workforce in the civil service. Your role in the transformation initiatives of the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) is well recognised and lauded.
“I understand that you are also preparing the civil service workforce to be mentally and professionally ready for the digital economy. This is a very proactive approach to take in meeting the short-term challenges of talent and expertise of digitalisation,” said Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, Deputy State Decretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit said through the Leadership Institute, the SCS has shown tremendous improvements in performance that rivals its Putrajaya counterpart.
“We are not in the position to blow our own trumpet, but judging by the number of awards we have received at the national and international stages, we can say that we have done pretty well.
“In fact, not even the federal civil service in Putrajaya is brave enough to embark on a transformation journey as we have done over the last several years,” she said.
Among the awards received by the SCS, Sabariah revealed, were from the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (Capam) and the Innovation and Creative (KIK) conventions.
In this respect, Sabariah said the Leadership Institute would be able to surge forward to give necessary support to the SCS to be digitally ready and to build the capacity to support the state’s digital economy framework.
She gave assurance that the institute was sincere, committed and passionate to execute its duty to serve the common good to the utmost. — DayakDaily
