LABUAN — Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), through its Library Division, recently organised the third session of the Semarak Ilmu @ UMSKAL: Telaah programme, featuring the book Tumbuk Rusuk: Pengkisahan dari Tirai Besi as part of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Integrity Month 2026.
The programme, held at the UMSKAL Theatrette Hall, was organised in collaboration with the Labuan branch of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP), and brought together UMSKAL staff and representatives of government agencies in the Federal Territory of Labuan.
The session featured the book’s author, Mohd Firdaus Ramlan, a former magistrate, integrity speaker, motivator and training consultant, who shared experiences and lessons from the book, focusing on integrity, trust, accountability, self-awareness and character building.
His presentation also provided participants with insights into life behind prison bars and how choices and decisions can have far-reaching consequences for individuals, families and society.
In his welcoming remarks, UMSKAL director Prof Dr Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin said the programme was in line with UMS Integrity Month, as integrity should not be viewed merely in terms of compliance with regulations and governance.
He said integrity was closely linked to principles, trust and responsibility in decision-making, particularly when individuals faced challenges, competing interests and pressure.
“As a higher education institution, the university is not only responsible for imparting knowledge and producing skilled graduates, but also has a greater responsibility to shape individuals with sound judgement, strong principles and moral courage.
“Society ultimately assesses graduates not only based on their knowledge and qualifications, but also on how they carry out the trust and responsibilities entrusted to them,” he said.
His speech was delivered by UMSKAL Head of Administration Sharifah Ismail.
Also present were PPZ-MAIWP Labuan assistant manager Mohammad Haziq Abang Sapri Awang, UMS Integrity Division director Darwis Manainus Awang Kangit and UMSKAL Library Division head Rosnitah Gumpar.
Meanwhile, Prof Dr Shamsul Bahari commended the UMSKAL Library Division for continuing the Semarak Ilmu @ UMSKAL programme as a platform to connect university staff and the community with writers, scholars and individuals with valuable knowledge and experience to share.
He said technological developments and changes in the information landscape had expanded the role of university libraries as dynamic centres for disseminating knowledge and information.
“Libraries also serve as intellectual platforms that connect knowledge with society through various forms of sharing and discourse.
“Programmes such as Semarak Ilmu provide space for works to be explored in greater depth, ideas to be exchanged, experiences to be shared and knowledge to be translated into a deeper understanding that benefits society,” he said.
The programme is a continuation of Semarak Ilmu @ UMSKAL, an initiative by the UMSKAL Library Division to strengthen the culture of knowledge and reading while encouraging intellectual discourse among the campus community and the public.
The third Telaah session, held in collaboration with PPZ-MAIWP Labuan, also strengthened strategic ties between the university and external agencies in organising knowledge-sharing and values-based programmes for the benefit of the community.
Through content based on real-life stories and experiences, the programme provided participants with an opportunity to view integrity issues from a perspective closer to reality while encouraging reflection on the choices, actions and responsibilities in their lives.
