KUCHING – A five-point leadership framework aimed at empowering women was unveiled by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg during the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow 2025 leadership dinner.
The Premier emphasised that mastering these competencies provides a 60% head start in the journey towards effective leadership.
The event, themed Sarawak Rising: Making Sure No One Gets Left Behind, was organised by the Women Leadership Foundation (WLF) and brought together leaders, policymakers and aspiring professionals.
The Premier’s address blended strategic foresight with practical guidance, underscoring Sarawak’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in governance, business and socio-economic development.
At the core of his framework, Knowledge was identified as the foundation. He stressed that leaders must not only understand current realities but also anticipate future developments.
“A leader, whether a woman or a man, must be able to predict the future, to foresee what will happen,” he said, noting that foresight enables organisations to adapt proactively to emerging challenges.
The second competency, Technology, was highlighted as a critical enabler of modern leadership. The Premier urged women to take charge in the digital sphere, pointing to Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT and data analysis as areas where female leaders must excel.
“Technology is not just for men. Women also need to be at the forefront of driving innovation and digital leadership,” he remarked, calling for greater female participation in shaping Sarawak’s digital economy.
The third element, Incorruptible Character and Self-Context, was described as the moral anchor of leadership. He explained that clarity of purpose and ethical conduct are essential for resisting distractions and pressures, ensuring that goals are achieved through principled means.
The fourth competency, Drive, was characterised as the force that distinguishes true leaders. According to the Premier, resilience and determination empower leaders to set direction, establish standards and inspire their teams towards transformative outcomes.
Finally, Holistic Management was presented as the ability to balance personal well-being, family responsibilities and professional duties.
Rather than viewing this as a burden, the Premier reframed it as a training ground for developing time management, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.
“When you have all these five competencies Knowledge, Technology, Incorruptible Character, Drive, and Holistic Management, it is like you have 60% of it already there. The rest, you will learn through experience and continuous effort,” he concluded.
The Premier’s formula aligns with broader initiatives in Sarawak, including the establishment of the Sarawak Women Leadership Chair and the Women Entrepreneur Dashboard Model, both designed to institutionalise women’s voices in policy and strengthen their role in economic transformation.
By articulating this roadmap, the Premier reinforced Sarawak’s vision of women as central forces in shaping a digitally advanced and prosperous future, ensuring that no one is left behind in the state’s development journey.
