SCOPE and ICDM Inks Their Strategic Collaboration with MoU, Aims to Strengthen Sarawak’s Governance Ecosystem and Leadership Pipeline
MoU to establish Sarawak Directors Academy and Registry, development programme and network to equip leaders with globally benchmarked governance skills
Kuching, 8 October 2025 – The Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE) and the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) today exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Sarawak’s vision of building an equitable, resilient, and future-focused economy anchored on strong governance. The signing was witnessed by YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, during the Sarawak Corporate Leadership Summit held from 7–9 October 2025 in Kuching, Sarawak.
The partnership will see the development of the Sarawak Directors Academy and Directors Registry; a five-year roadmap designed to nurture a pipeline of capable directors and empowered board leaders and the curation of strategic platforms such as the Sarawak GLC Leadership Conference and Development Programme Series for the state. Recognising lifelong learning as the engine of resilient and forward-looking governance, the Academy will serve as the platform for leaders to access internationally benchmarked programmes, certifications, networks and events, to continuously sharpen their skills and stay ahead in a dynamic global environment.
At the ceremony, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak highlighted, “We live in a world of uncertainty and rapid change. Corporations and governments everywhere are being judged not only by their financial performance, but also by their governance standards, their inclusivity, and their environmental and social responsibility. Sarawak is not isolated from these forces. In fact, we must be ahead of them. Our next leap as a State will depend on our ability to lead with vision, integrity and resilience. That is why future-ready governance and collaborative leadership are no longer optional; they are essential.”
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar Bin Marzuki, the Sarawak State Secretary, said, “As Sarawak continues to modernise, we need to ensure that growth and development encompasses both public and private organisations, especially in the civil service and government-linked companies (GLCs). Partnerships like this enable us to nurture capable leaders who uphold integrity and professionalism in every decision they make. This is how we build a high-performing sustainable and inclusive state, one that truly serves the people.”
Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of ICDM, said, “Sarawak’s approach to achieving ambitious goals begins with setting the right tone from the top, underscoring that leadership is paramount. As the national institute of directors, we see strong boards and good governance as the central mechanism for translating vision into reality. Delivering on these goals requires sustained investment in board capacity. We look forward to collaborating with Sarawak to help develop a robust pipeline of directors, to ensure enduring excellence in SOE leadership.”
For Jackie Mah, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICDM, the collaboration reflects a shared vision of raising leadership capacity in line with global best practices. She highlighted, “We look forward to continuing working closely with SCOPE to deliver on the initiatives, sharing our expertise and insights to curate the right programmes, platforms and networks for Sarawak. These are exciting times ahead and we are confident that we will be able to contribute to shaping an environment where directors and organisations can thrive, and are guided by leaders who are competent and prepared for the challenges ahead.”
By reinforcing governance as a cornerstone of growth, the Sarawak Directors Academy aims to position the state as a model for leadership excellence, strengthening its capacity to seize opportunities and navigate the complexities of a fast-changing world.
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About the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE):
SCOPE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) & Registered Training Provider (RTP) of Human Resource Development Corporation with its primary business to offer and conduct training and developmental programs for Government-Linked Corporations, Statutory Bodies, Local Authorities and Private Sectors in Sarawak. SCOPE’s key priority is providing developmental training in leadership. Nonetheless, we also offer training in niche areas in tandem with the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 three (3) pillars; Economic Prosperity, Social Inclusivity, & Environmental Sustainability.
About the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM):
The Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) is a membership-based organisation whose mandate is to professionalise directorship in Malaysia. As the national institute of directors (IoD), ICDM is committed to providing continuous professional development - empowering boards and directors with forward-thinking mindsets, practical knowledge and essential competencies. Established by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and supported by Bank Negara Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia and the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), ICDM's goal is to be the leading influence of excellence in governance and to build a robust corporate governance culture in Malaysia. For more information on ICDM, please visit our website at www.icdm.com.my
