G25 S Johan Arriffin Appointed As New Ceo For Sabah Think Tank

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KOTA KINABALU: Johan Arriffin Samad has been named as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Institute For Development Studies (Sabah) (IDS), the state’s autonomous think tank effective Dec 1
IDS in a statement today said Johan will head the research body, which was set up to assist the government in meeting the needs and aspirations of the people through research and analysis on development-related issues
“Among his priorities as the CEO is to enhance IDS’ human resource capabilities by exposing them to lifelong learning, either at the local or international level. He is also keen to foster team building among IDS staff and mould them into excellent team players
“Johan feels it is vital to ensure IDS remains relevant in this digital era and is able to perform its functions as an independent research institute as well as a think tank to the state government,” the statement said
According to IDS, Johan is also concerned with issues such as poverty, national unity, oil royalty and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which are also the current concerns of the state government and would like IDS to be prepared to embrace the challenges ahead in these research areas
An alumnus of the University of South Australia where he attained his Doctorate in Business Administration, Johan has extensive experience working in multi-nationals and spent 16 years with ExxonMobil before joining Yayasan Sabah as Deputy Director
Over the course of his professional career, Johan has held several company directorships, which includes Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, Kimanis Power Sdn Bhd, Sipitan Oil & Gas Industrial Park, Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd, Petrosab Sdn Bhd and Yayasan Sabah Shipping
He is also a member of G25, a group of retired senior civil servants. -FMT

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