On 4th June 2026, Perdana Leadership Foundation had the privilege of conducting an Oral History Session with Professor Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University.
The three-hour oral history session with Datuk Professor Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Chairman of the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), and Dr Nasrudin Subhi, Associate Professor at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia captured Tan Sri Jemilah’s reflections on her childhood and early influences, the establishment of MERCY Malaysia, her humanitarian experiences in Iraq and Aceh, and her views on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and women in leadership.
She also shared her perspectives on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), as well as her thoughts on leadership.
“Leadership begins with having a clear vision, strong values, and a sense of purpose. Collective leadership is essential because we achieve far more when we work together than when we act alone. At the same time, leaders must be prepared to make clear and decisive decisions when circumstances demand it.
Leadership also requires empathy, honesty, transparency, and clear communication. People need clarity to understand not only where they are going, but why they are going there. Equally important is knowing when to step aside, when to hand over responsibilities, and when to create space for others to lead. Above all, never underestimate the power of trust—it is the foundation upon which successful teams, organisations, and communities are built.”
Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood’s early upbringing and parental values shaped her lifelong commitment to public service and humanitarian work. She is a distinguished medical professional and public health expert with over two decades of experience in health, disaster, and conflict settings worldwide. She is the founder of MERCY Malaysia, one of the region’s leading humanitarian organisations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she served as Special Adviser on Public Health to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Internationally, she has held senior leadership roles, including at the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). She has received numerous honours, including the Merdeka Award, the Isa Award for Humanity, and the ASEAN Prize, in recognition of her contributions to humanitarian action and public health.
The Perdana Leadership Foundation thanks Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, as well as Datuk Professor Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman and Dr Nasrudin Subhi for their participation in our Oral History programme. The programme forms part of the Perdana Leadership Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve and document the experiences, insights, and leadership lessons of Malaysia’s distinguished leaders for future generations.
The publication featuring Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood is scheduled for release in early 2027.
