NILAI, September 20, 2018 – The official induction of admitting Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for 2 months special International Staff Attachment Program was administered by Professor Dr. Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) at the ‘Alamiyyah Conference Room in the presence of Assoc Prof Dr. Zulkifli Hassan, Dean, Faculty of Syariah and Law; Professor Dr. Zainal Mohamad, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Economics & Muamalat and Head of Graduate School; Assoc Prof Dr. Mahazan Abdul Mutalib, Director, Research Management & Innovation Centr; Dr. Hayati Ismail, Director of USIM ‘Alamiyyah; Deputy Director Dr. Mohd. Fadzli Marhusin; Syariah and Law lecturers: Dr. Mariam S Tagotanao and Dr. Norfadhillah Mohamad Ali. This program will constitute sharing of knowlege, exchanges of ideas ,public lectures, and preparation of report covering the specific study on ‘peace, security, anti-violent and extremism program through Islamic leadership and sustainable development approach’. Site-visits will also include courtesy calls on relevant Federal Ministers, State Chief Ministers and related agencies.
The arrival of ARMM Regional Governor Hataman at USIM Chancellory was received and welcomed on behalf of Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Founding Convener of Sejahtera Leadership Initiative (SLI) and Chairperson of USIM by Dr. Haji Zulkifly Baharom, CEO of SLI who’s the Secretary of Malaysia – Phulippines Business Council (MPBC) and Advisor to the Executive Director of ARMM Regional Economics Zone Authority (REZA). The Regional Governor’s entourage comprised of Datu Aleem M. Guiapal, Senior Assistant Cabinet Secretary; Datu Amilbahar S. Mawallil, Executive Director, Bureau of Public Information; and Datu Khomeini Bansuan, Operations Director, Bureau of Cultural Heritage. Depending on the specific topics of this attachment program other relevant Cabinet Secretaries, Operations Directors and Mayors of Municipality will join the Regional Governor to understudy the details from USIM academicians. They will be visiting the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for a coutesy call on its Rector in October.
It has been resolved during the induction on the need for USIM Director of Research Management & Innovation Centre as strategic program planner and Director of ‘Alamiyyah as program implementation co-ordinator to establish a platform to oversee all aspects of this attachment program in ensuring cross-fertilization of ideas, knowledge sharing, mutual learning and future joint collaborations with ARMM in research projects, training and consultation programs.
Considering that Bangsamoro Organic Law or Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to strengthen and expand ARMM was enacted by the House of Representatives and subsequently passed by the Senate of the Philippines on 24 July 2018 and signed by HE President Rodrigo Duterte on 10 August 2018, therefore this program for Regional Director must anticipate the future needs of ARMM for peace, security, justice and sustainable economics development. Currently, ARMM is an autonomous regionof the Philippines, located in Mindanao Island that consists of five predominantly Muslim provinces: Basilan, Lanaao del Sur, Manguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The new legislative and government of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will commence in May 2019.
Regional Governor Hataman recalled “ARMM has received many offer from some countries for me, my Cabinet Ministers and Provincial Governors, Municipality Mayors and Executive Directors to take-up Islamic leadership and govenance training programs. We’ve chosen Malaysia because of its close proximity and similarity of culture.
Even many provisions of BBL relating to system of governance has benchmarked the Malaysian constitutions. We’ve chosen USIM because we’re comfotable with the sincerity of its Chair, Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and the commitment shown by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Musa Ahmad, Evidently, Professor Tan Sri Dzul has visited ARMM last year and met leaders of our local government as well as NGO interest groups. My good friend, Dr. Haji Zul visited ARMM reqularly and brought many business and training delegations. Notable delegate who visited ARMM is Dato’ Amiruddin Hamzah, Deputy Finance Minister (when he was Kedah State Minister). I want to meet him in Putrajaya.”
In conclusion, the induction of Regional Governor Hataman into USIM International Staff Attachment Program which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the new Malaysia collaborations in research projects and programs to promote Islamic economics and govenance education beyond its national frontiers. Although the digital revolution, like the 4th Industrial Revolution creates enomous economic change but the wealth of humans relationsship are indispensable guide for any serious leaders seeking to understand this new landscape. Nobody is better placed to tell us how technology is shaping our economy, our lives and our own future.
Prepared by :
Dr. Zulkifly Baharom
CEO Sejahtera Leadership Initiative
