NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING, 29TH MARCH 2018, THURSDAY: Sarawak Energy marked International Women’s Day yesterday in appreciation of the contribution of its women workforce as well as to highlight gender parity within the organisation. Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, graced the event organised by the Company’s women network, Sarawak Energy Leading Women Network (SELWN). Also in attendance were Lu Yew Hung, Group Chief Operating Officer, Aisah Eden, Executive Vice President for Corporate Services who is also SELWN Executive Champion, members of the executive committee and staff. Highlights of the event featured a presentation on SELWN initiatives 2018, which included the global scenario on gender parity and women in the workforce by Hjh Siti Aisah Adenan, Sarawak Energy Vice President for Distribution who is Head of SELWN Network. This was followed by a forum themed ‘Women Empowerment Year 2018: #PressforProgress TheTimeForActionIsNow” with Aisah facilitating the discussion by panellists comprising Sharbini; Hjh Siti Aisah; Dr Mak Met, Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Human Resources who is also SELWN Advisor and Hasanah Abdullah, SELWN Secretary who is also Senior Manager for Employee and Industrial Relations. In his opening remarks, Sharbini said SELWN played an important role in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 5 on gender equality and women empowerment, as well as Sarawak Energy’s Talent Management Excellence Key Focus Area.

“Despite comprising half of the population and half of the labour force, women remain highly under-represented in business environments. Today, only 21% of Sarawak Energy’s 4,800 employees are women.  Out of this percentage, only 350 are in the professional group (executives and above).  This represents 8% of the total workforce in Sarawak Energy."

“Achieving gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a collective effort. Sarawak Energy can do better, and we must act now,” said the Group CEO who is also SELWN Council Chairman.

Meanwhile Aisah said positive outcome derives from the active participation of both men and women in Sarawak Energy. “It is not enough to create awareness but to also actively participate in the cause for gender equality and women empowerment. This is a positive first step in the right direction and the time to press for progress is now.” Launched last year, SELWN focuses on leadership especially amongst potential women employees. It facilitates and supports their development through networking, sharing sessions, forums and talent management. As part of Sarawak Energy’s talent management initiative, it also looks into identifying, redefining and strategising the career path of the women workforce within the organisation. It also serves as a channel by which specific issues concerning talent management affecting women employees can be specifically addressed.

The forum themed ‘Women Empowerment Year 2018: #PressforProgress TheTimeForActionIsNow” with Aisah Eden, EVP Corporate Services and SELWN Executive Champion facilitating the discussion by panellists comprising Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO and SELWN Council Chairman; Hjh Siti Aisah Adenan, VP for Distribution and SELWN Head of Network; Dr Mak Met, Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Human Resources and SELWN Advisor and Hasanah Abdullah, Senior Manager for Employee and Industrial Relations and SELWN Secretary.

Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO and SELWN Council Chairman speaking at SELWN’s International Women’s Day event.

Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO and SELWN Council Chairman (seated centre) and seated from left;  Hasanah Abdullah, Senior Manager for Employee and Industrial Relations and SELWN Secretary, Dr Mak Met, Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Human Resources and SELWN Advisor, Aisah Eden, EVP Corporate Services and SELWN Executive Champion; Hjh Siti Aisah Adenan, VP for Distribution and SELWN Head of Network with some of SELWN council members.

Staff and guests at the event being entertained.