MUKAH – A four-day intensive training programme designed to equip young people with essential leadership capabilities concluded on Monday, with officials urging participants to become active contributors to Sarawak’s progress. The Leadership Bootcamp for Youth 2025 for the Central Zone was hailed for significantly enhancing the competencies of its attendees.
The Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, officiated the closing ceremony at the Kingwood Hotel here. She observed that the initiative had markedly improved participants’ self-assurance, collaborative abilities, and communication skills, preparing them for greater responsibilities within their communities.
“If this is the result of four days of training, Alhamdulillah,” the Minister stated, expressing her satisfaction with the outcome. She elaborated that the goal is to cultivate young leaders who are not only self-assured, but also possess the knowledge and credibility to lead with substance.
Dato Sri Fatimah further underscored the state government’s unwavering dedication to fostering gender equality and social inclusivity. This commitment is institutionalised through the operation of the Diversity, Equality, Equity and Inclusivity (D2EI) Unit within her ministry, which works to integrate these principles across government initiatives.
Citing recent data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia for 2024, she highlighted a persistent gap between female educational attainment and their participation in the economic and political spheres. While Sarawak’s women are excelling academically, their representation in business leadership and political office remains disproportionately low.
To address this imbalance, the State Government has allocated substantial resources to support women’s entrepreneurship. This backing includes direct grants, special financing schemes, and enhanced educational pathways. Notably, full scholarships are provided for eligible women to undertake postgraduate studies at the Asian Women Leadership University College in Penang.
The leadership bootcamp forms part of a broader, long-term strategy for human capital development. Since 2019, the Ministry, operating through the Sarawak Women and Family Department, has conducted a total of 20 distinct leadership development programmes. These initiatives have engaged 485 participants from various regions across the state.
This portfolio includes the specialised Women Leadership Programme alongside the ongoing series of Youth Leadership Bootcamps. Together, they function as critical platforms for building capacity and fostering a proactive leadership ethos among the state’s younger demographics.
“Programmes like this not only shape leaders, but also nurture a spirit of service to family, community and the state,” Dato Sri Fatimah remarked, before bringing the event to a formal close.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including the Director of the Sarawak Women and Family Department, Salmah Jobeli, and the Mukah Division Resident, Datu Kueh Lei Poh. Also, present were the Chairman of Dalat and Mukah District Council, Councillor Aini Suhaili, and Pemanca Mohamad @ Mohd Jali Kawi.
