PUTRAJAYA: Senior civil servants were put through a different kind of leadership test when a shooting sports activity was incorporated into the Advanced Leadership and Management Programme (ALMP) Series 89 No. 4/2026.
The activity was designed to assess participants' ability to plan, manage and coordinate programmes while reinforcing discipline, teamwork and compliance with safety procedures.
National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) director Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff said the shooting exercise was more than an introduction to the sport, serving as a practical platform for participants to sharpen their leadership and management skills.
He said the month-long programme emphasised systematic planning, effective coordination and proper implementation to ensure activities achieved their intended objectives.
"Among the aspects we emphasise is how participants plan a programme from the beginning, ensure safety briefings are conducted and carry out activities in accordance with established rules and regulations.
"When they return to their respective agencies, they must ensure that every programme and administrative matter is conducted in compliance with the relevant procedures and regulations," he said at the Shapadu Shooting Range in Precinct 20 today.
Zabri said safety, discipline and adherence to regulations were essential elements in developing effective leadership among senior government officers.
He said the hands-on approach allowed participants to appreciate the importance of meticulous planning, effective coordination and structured implementation in achieving organisational goals.
"The ALMP is a competency development programme that focuses on leadership assessment and strengthening management skills among senior public sector officers, including those holding JUSA C positions.
"The programme brings together officers from various service schemes and professional backgrounds, providing opportunities for them to exchange experiences and establish collaborative networks across government departments and agencies," he said.
He said the professional relationships developed throughout the programme should extend beyond the training period.
He said participants were encouraged to leverage these connections upon returning to their respective agencies to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and collaboration.
"We hope that when participants return to their respective agencies, the relationships established during the programme can be utilised, particularly among senior management, to strengthen cooperation and collaboration," he said.
He added that incorporating shooting sports into the programme reflected INTAN's emphasis on experiential learning in developing public sector leaders.
The approach, he said, reinforced the importance of planning, coordination, procedural compliance and teamwork in ensuring effective public administration.
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