WITH artificial intelligence (AI) changing how work gets done, the workforce, including the public service, needs both technological and human capabilities to make sound decisions, manage change and lead people.
That was the emphasis behind the Leadership Development Programme for Career Advancement, in which 20 Malaysian public officers recently participated in Perth, Australia, under a sponsorship from the Public Service Department of Malaysia (JPA).
Delivered by Unitar Education Group in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIM WA) and JPA, the six-day programme, held in August, covered leadership development, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, conflict management, coaching and motivation, AI in the public sector, and high-performance team development.
Participants took part in the Harvard Everest team leadership and strategy simulation, which challenged them to make decisions, communicate under pressure and work collectively towards a shared goal.
They also visited corporate and local government organisations to see how different approaches could be adapted within their own ministries and agencies.
A visit to a private sector organisation offered insights into how safety, employee well-being and workforce development are integrated into operations.
At the City of Gosnells, participants gained exposure to how local government delivers community welfare, sport and recreational services. Examples included public swimming pool safety, the provision of lifeguards and animal management measures such as microchipping animals found on the streets.
Participant Effie Syamsyurijal Othman of the Perlis State Land and Mines Office said the programme allowed him to gain knowledge and skills that he could adapt in the workplace.
“It also reinforced the importance of responding to changing situations and remaining resilient,” he said.
Ahmad Muzaffar Ahmad Bakri of the Higher Education Department shared another key takeaway.
“A leader must be bold enough to transform a low-performing team into a high-performing one,” he said.
Nor Azizah Ahmed of the Finance Ministry highlighted communication and emotional intelligence as two of her most valuable lessons, describing them as fundamental qualities in the workplace.
Kanmani Tangavello of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry said the international experience broadened her perspective.
“Leadership is not simply about exercising authority. It is about influencing others, empowering team members, understanding their circumstances and guiding them towards organisational goals,” she said.
JPA Human Capital Development Division principal assistant director Norazura Tadzim said the programme featured a mix of trainers and engaging learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom.
“The visits to a private sector organisation and a local government allowed participants to observe different leadership and management practices firsthand.
“Unitar’s trainers drew on their own experience to relate the learning to Malaysia’s public sector context, while AIM WA’s approach encouraged participants to think differently, exchange ideas and consider how these lessons could be applied when they returned to their respective organisations,” she said.
Unitar International University vice-chancellor Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar said public sector leaders need the confidence to use AI, the judgement to question its outputs, the integrity to remain accountable and the empathy to understand how their decisions affect people.
“Technology can make the public service prompt and more efficient, but leadership determines whether that progress is responsible and trusted. This combination is what turns digital capability into better service for the rakyat,” he said in a Sept 11 press release.
The programme came as Malaysia accelerates the adoption of AI across government.
In February 2025, the Digital Ministry announced that up to 445,000 public officers would benefit from generative AI capabilities and training through the AI at Work 2.0 initiative.
