Taking The Road Less travelled – A Journey Of Self-Examination and Discovery

SPEECH BY
YBHG TAN SRI MOHD SIDEK BIN HAJI HASSAN
CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA

AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE BOOK
“TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED – A JOURNEY OF SELF-EXAMINATION AND DISCOVERY”
BY YBHG. DATUK DR. SHAHARI AHMAD JABAR

Bismillaahir rahmaanir rahiim

Asalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia.

Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, Yang di-Pertua Dewan Negara

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohamed, Presiden PTD Alumni

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr. Shahari Ahmad Jabar, Penulis Buku “Taking The Road Less Travelled: A Journey of Self Examination and Discovery”

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Presiden Perbadanan Putrajaya

Ahli-Ahli Exco PTD Alumni

Y.Bhg. Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Datuk-Dato’, Datin-Datin, Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan

Para hadirin yang dihormati sekalian.

Alhamdulillah, bersyukur kita ke hadrat Allah SWT atas limpah rahmat dan izin Nya jua kita dapat bersama-sama pada petang ini sempena majlis pelancaran buku hasil penulisan Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr. Shahari Ahmad Jabar.

2. Sesungguhnya saya amat teruja sempena pelancaran buku ini dengan kehadiran sebegitu ramai seniors dan juga mentor-mentor kita di dalam Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia. Ini merupakan suatu penghormatan dan penghargaan kepada penulis, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr. Shahari Ahmad Jabar, dan pastinya buku penulisan beliau yang akan dilancarkan sebentar nanti merupakan sesuatu yang amat dekat dalam hati kita selaku penjawat awam, dulu dan sekarang, yang memegang amanah awam, amanah negara.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. We are here today to celebrate the launch of a book which is a self-reflection of Datuk Shahari Ahmad Jabar’s life. It is interesting to me what he has chosen to title his book: “Taking the road less travelled: A Journey of Self-Examination and Discovery”. “The road less travelled”, we know is the penultimate line of the famous 1916 poem by Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”. And we also know that this poem dwells on a decision that the poet had to make as he reached a fork in his travels; and his recollection, years later, about the decision that he made. Hence, the title is very apt: this is Datuk Dr Shahari’s sharing of his passage of self-discovery!

4. So I suppose in a very real sense, Datuk Dr Shahari is playing out this poem in his book. Here he reflects not so much on his journey in the public sector, and indeed he has had an illustrious career in the civil service; but more importantly, he invites us to explore the subject of leadership with him.

5. Datuk Dr. Shahari is no stranger to most of us present here today. Like many of us, he was a career PTD officer, one who dedicated 30 years of his life to the Public Service; and even more years to serve the public. Datuk Dr. Shahari started his career as an Assistant District Officer of Kuala Selangor in 1960. During his 30 years of service with the Government, he held state, federal and regional level posts, as Director of INTAN, Director of the Asia-Pacific Development Centre and Deputy Director-General of the Public Service Department. After his retirement, Datuk Dr. Shahari has served on the Boards of both private and Government-Linked companies.

6. Datuk Dr. Shahari has impressive academic qualifications, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Malaya; Master in Social Science from the International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, under a Dutch Government Fellowship; and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Hawaii, USA, under a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship. He also attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard.

7. This book is yet a further attempt to serve the public good. And indeed I am proud that one from the PTD fraternity has taken the time to write a book. The act of penning one’s thoughts is a reflection of one’s willingness to contribute ideas and experience, not so much for posterity, but more to share and propagate values, good values. He has chosen to share with us his thoughts on leadership. He expounds two very important aspects of leadership, namely ethical and strategic leadership.

8. He emphasises the importance of strongly-held principles and consistency in the decision-making process. Preserving such principles and values has been his trademark while serving in both the public and private sectors. He believes that one’s journey in life should be guided by ethics, values and noble purpose; rather than selfish motives, or the need for recognition. He rightly points out that what really matters in the world is to have the courage to stand up for what is worthy and right, regardless of the consequences. But that, I must add for us in public service, be anchored on the philosophy of nation before self; in the best tradition of public service, that it is a calling.

9. The financial and economic problems this past decade arguably have their roots in greed and ethical lapses. The costs have been significant, not just for corporations, but also public service and entire countries.

10. Datuk Dr Shahari also shares with us his thoughts on Strategic leadership. This is the ability to anticipate and envision the future, maintain flexibility, think strategically, and work with others to initiate changes that create a competitive advantage for the organisation. The transformation we seek to make as a country has to be premised on leaders who have clear vision and mission; and have the courage, determination and competency to translate the vision to action; and more importantly ensure the follow-through of the actions. He or she must be able to move people into following him or her along the transformational path, accept the challenge and responsibility to deliver the desired outcomes, and create value for the organisation. Superior organisational performance cannot be a matter of luck. It is determined by the choices and actions that the leader takes.

11. Indeed, there are many lessons that can be learnt from the book. I would encourage that this book be used as a case-study and point of reference in the leadership and training sessions in our local leadership training institutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

12. Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers, namely, the Alumni Association of the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers, or the PTD Alumni, and INTAN, for giving me the honour and the privilege, of addressing this gathering and to officially launch the book entitled “Taking the Road Less Travelled – A Journey of Self-Examination and Discovery” by YBhg. Datuk Dr. Shahari Ahmad Jabar. Congratulations Datuk Dr. Shahari for having written a truly excellent book.

Wabillahittaufik walhidayah
Wasalammualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and thank you.