Leadership Remembered: A Farewell Tribute

As the spouse of the outgoing Timbalan Pengarah, I was honoured to attend a farewell dinner organized by more than thirty lecturers of IPG Gaya in recognition of her past service.

The evening was marked not only by good food but, more importantly, by an outpouring of heartfelt tributes. One after another, the lecturers stood to express their appreciation. They described her as fair, approachable, humble, attentive, and always willing to help. Many lamented that her two-year tenure had been far too brief, wishing she could have continued serving at the institution. Every word spoken reflected genuine respect, admiration, and love.

“She was fair in all her dealings.”
“She was always approachable - I felt like I was talking to a friend rather than a superior.”
“She is humble.”
“She always listened to our concerns and did her best to find solutions.”
“Her two years with us were far too short. I wish she could stay longer.”

The list went on, painting a portrait of a leader who led with humility, fairness, and genuine care.

These reflections revealed the depth of her influence and the enduring respect she had earned in a relatively short period of time. It was a moving testament to the kind of leader she had been - one who combined authority with compassion, and professionalism with humility.

For me personally, it was an emotional moment, as I realized how deeply she had touched the lives of her colleagues. To witness such admiration and genuine affection was a reminder that true leadership is measured not only by position, but by the hearts one leaves behind.

The Pengarah's Residence

The single-storey house is built in an L-shaped design. One wing is dedicated to the family’s private quarters, featuring a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, along with two additional bedrooms and another shared bathroom. The other wing accommodates the functional spaces: a kitchen, two more rooms, and separate bathroom and toilet facilities for the maid. At the junction where the two wings meet lies the living room, serving as the central hub of the home.

The compound itself is expansive, set atop a hill that offers a commanding bird’s-eye view of Keningau town and the scenic landscape beyond. Its wide-open grounds provide ample space for children to run and play freely, while also making it perfect for family gatherings, outdoor activities, and barbeque evenings under the open sky.

Front view.

Huge compound to the left of the residence.

Another huge compound to the right. The tree is perfect to be decorated and lighted up as Christmas tree during Christmas!

The New Pengarah's Office

The office is cosy, well-arranged, and entirely self-contained. One corner is furnished with a table and chairs for discussions or small meetings, while another is set aside for a comfortable sofa and a TV set - perfect for short breaks or casual conversations. I noticed two desktop computers and a laptop neatly arranged, suggesting a space ready for both work and collaboration.

What makes the office even more impressive is the attached toilet and bathroom, thoughtfully equipped with a wardrobe and a water filter for convenience. Honestly, if a bed and a small kitchenette were added, this place could easily double up as a practical office-cum-living quarter! 🙂

The chap in black jacket is the Timbalan Pengarah.

Introducing the New Pengarah

As our car was about to enter the main entrance to the compound of Keningau Teachers Training Institute, I drew the attention of the "Pengarah" to a huge banner erected by the road side with the new Pengarah's picture printed on it. May be it is too large for the Pengarah to focus and she yielded, " Where! Where!". I had to literally point to the direction to get her focus.

The guard seemed to have done their homework by studying the Pengarah's portrait well in advance. So, when we drove pass, they stood attention, smiled and saluted and pointed to the direction toward the Administration Building.

As we reached the Admin. Building, another same huge banner hung right in front of the building greeted us. In my mind, it wouldn't be long when she can consider putting up herself as a candidate for the local election:).

The New Pengarah on the Way to Report for Duty

The much-anticipated day finally arrived on 12 September 2008, when the new Pengarah officially reported for duty at the Keningau Teachers Training Institute (IPG Keningau). I volunteered - half proudly, half playfully - to be her driver and escort for the journey.

Instead of taking the familiar Kota Kinabalu–Penampang-Tambunan-Keningau highway, we opted for the then-newly opened Kota Kinabalu–Papar–Kimanis–Keningau route. This highway had already attracted controversy because of its steep slopes. In some sections, the gradient reaches an astonishing 18%, well above the recommended 12%. At first, I was skeptical. But after driving through it, I realized there was little choice - after all, the road must cut across the rugged Crocker Range. Perhaps tunneling, extensive hill cutting, or even elevated highway structures could have made it more driver-friendly, but such options would have driven the cost sky-high. Understandably, economic considerations prevailed.

That said, the drive itself was nothing short of spectacular. The sweeping views alone made the journey memorable. On the return trip to Kota Kinabalu, the sight of Kimanis Bay shimmering in the distance was simply breathtaking. At certain stretches, I felt transported elsewhere - the winding descents evoked memories of the Sydney-Newcastle drive, some coastal views brought back the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, while other landscapes reminded me of my journeys to Augusta in Southwestern Australia.

For all its design flaws, the road left me with a sense of wonder, both for its daring engineering and for the memories it stirred.