KOTA KINABALU: More than 300 participants, including 250 students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), representatives from government agencies, NGOs and industry players, attended the National Leadership Seminar: From Campus to National Leadership, organised by the Malaysian Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Malaysian National Academy, the Prime Minister’s Department and UMS, at UMS Recital Hall here today.
The seminar was officiated by the Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Hj Nasarah, who also serves as Advisor to the Malaysian Leadership Academy.
In his address, Dr Shamsul underscored the pivotal role of universities in shaping national identity and nurturing credible leaders among students.
The programme featured Dr Hajah Fatimah Sabrina Mohammad, Deputy Chairperson of the Malaysian Professional Women Secretariat, as one of the main speakers. In her presentation, Dr Sabrina, affectionately known as Kak Sab, emphasised the importance of amplifying the voices of Sabah women and persons with disabilities in the sphere of national leadership.
“Sabah women possess unique strengths – resilience, a deep understanding of social realities and a wealth of empathy. Women and persons with disabilities are not merely recipients of policy; they are the voices of the people and deserve a place at the decision-making table,” she said.
Dr Sabrina also referred to the national goal of ensuring that at least 30 percent of leadership and board positions in both the public and private sectors are held by women.
To date, the top 100 listed companies have achieved an average of 32.2 percent female board representation. However, in politics, women’s participation remains low, with only about 13.6 percent of seats in the House of Representatives occupied by women.
“These figures clearly show that women are capable of leading. What is needed is not special treatment but fair opportunities and equal access,” she added.
She encouraged students to cultivate leadership grounded in three key values:
- Knowledge – to think critically and maturely
- Empathy – to understand and connect with those they lead
- Integrity – to remain steadfast when entrusted with responsibility
“Graduates bring qualifications, but leaders bring values. And it is these values that shape the direction and dignity of a nation,” she said.
The seminar served as a strategic platform to nurture visionary young leaders, including women and persons with disabilities from Sabah, preparing them to take on national leadership roles that begin with active engagement at the university level.
