KOTA KINABALU: What does it really take to lead Sabah forward?
That question takes centre stage today as Soultan International hosts “LEADING SABAH FORWARD: Leadership, Challenges & Impact” at Zara’s Boutique Hotel, Kota Kinabalu.
The leadership platform featured three distinguished Sabah CEOs in an up-close and personal dialogue, sharing not just their achievements but the real challenges, tough decisions, and lessons behind their journeys.
The three speakers were Datuk Dr Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki, JP, Chief Executive Officer of Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC); Cecilia Amid, Group Chief Executive Officer of Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP); and Datuk Ts Dr Ramzah Dambul, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) (IDS).
Organised by Siti Shaqila Zamzam of Soultan International and advised by Datuk Eliza Goh, the founder of ZARA’S BOUTIQUE HOTEL,
The forum is designed to be a meaningful exchange of real stories and practical insights on leadership in Sabah.
Held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM today, the event includes keynote sharings, an audience Q&A, and a networking lunch, bringing together professionals, aspiring leaders, and members of the community.
Themed “Real Journeys. Real Challenges. Real Impact,” the forum aims to inspire the next generation of Sabah leaders by highlighting authentic, on-the-ground experiences from those leading some of the state’s key institutions.
Zara’s Boutique Hotel founder & proprietor Datuk Eliza Goh, when talking to reporters, said, “Women CEOs do not just lead companies; they change what leadership looks like.
When a woman leads, she opens the door wider for others, she creates policies with empathy, she builds workplaces where women can speak without fear, and she proves to the next girl that ambition is not just for boys.
True empowerment is not about one woman reaching the top; it is about her reaching back down to pull others up.”
Also present during the event were Datuk Ceaser Mandela, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister; Affi Bazli Liman, Director, Soultan International, former Attorney General Datuk Hajah Mariati Robert; Datuk Adeline Leong, chartered President of Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl; Datuk Nancy Ho, the chartered President of SWEPA; Datuk Aminah Ambrose, President of SEED; Datuk Joanna Kitingan; Datuk Suzannah Liaw, former Permanent Secretary of KEPKAS; President Kathy of Rotary Club of Tanjung Aru; Dr Felice Huang; and Dr Shelley Bhardwaj.
President of SWEPA Betty Epin, deputy president Suryani, and other women leaders and community leaders, professionals and NGO leaders.
