NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
16 JUNE 2021

Sarawak Energy’s centenary commemoration continues to be marked through an exhibition at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) Kuching. Entitled 100 Years of Powering Sarawak and open to the public until 15 July, the exhibition showcases Sarawak’s past, present and future electrification journey and initiatives to power a more sustainable and renewable energy future for both Sarawak and the region.

The exhibition was launched by Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi today.

He was joined by Datuk Dr Haji Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Utility); Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication); Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability; and Tazudin Mohtar, Director for Sarawak Museum Department.

Sarawak Energy was represented by its Chairman, Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi; along with Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani; Sarawak Energy Board Member, Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili; Group Chief Executive Officer as well as management and staff.

Speaking at the event, Abdul Hamed welcomed visitors to the exhibition, saying, “This exhibition pays tribute to the vision of our government for Sarawak’s transformation, the people of Sarawak Energy as well as the communities and customers that we serve.”

He said, “These accomplishments were made possible through the support and strategic direction of the Sarawak Government, particularly the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, with many of our major corporate successes as a result of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or SCORE, which was launched in 2008.”

“We have achieved many outstanding milestones in our efforts to transform the region’s energy landscape, accelerating the growth of our business and Sarawak as a whole,” he added.

With permission from the Sarawak Museum Department, Sarawak Energy is the first exhibitor to showcase at BCM’s Temporary Exhibition Gallery since it opened its doors to the public in March 2022.

The exhibition highlights “Commemorating Cultural Partnerships with Hydropower Communities” and features a section of the Longest Woven Rug/Mat In The World as recorded by Guinness World Records – an achievement by Orang Ulu weavers delivered in partnership with the energy developer’s neighbouring communities in its current and future hydropower plants.

At the exhibit tour after the launch event, Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, Hajah Siti Aisah Adenan received a copy of the certificate issued by Guinness World Records, presented by Peng Doh Belaga, a forty year old NGO focused on empowering women from Orang Ulu communities through sustainable livelihood training.

To showcase communities in Murum, Bakun and Baleh, there was also a special basket weaving and beadwork demonstration by women artisans from the area at the event, with another similar demonstration to be held at the exhibit on 20 June.

The launch event also featured a performance from Warisan Sape’ Telang Usan, a troupe sponsored by Sarawak Energy as part of its collaboration with Baram communities to preserve their musical heritage. In 2019, the troupe was successful in their bid to enter the Malaysia Book of Records for the longest non-stop sape’ performance of 50 hours, together with Orang Ulu sape’ players from across Sarawak, including Baram, Belaga and Bario.

Sarawak Energy started as an Electrical Section within the Public Works Department in 1921 to oversee electricity supply in Sarawak and has since transformed from a traditional utility into a vertically integrated power utility and the largest renewable energy developer in Malaysia with regional powerhouse ambitions. From a small base of 84 customers in 1923, the corporation now serves a population of 3 million Sarawakians through 740,000 accounts in urban and rural areas as well as bulk power to energy intensive and export customers through its 5,400 multidisciplinary workforce, making Sarawak Energy the largest employer of professional Sarawak talent.

Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Sarawak Energy Chairman, delivering his welcoming remarks at the launch of Sarawak Energy’s Exhibit

Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Sarawak’s Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, delivering his speech at the launch of Sarawak Energy’s Exhibit

Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Sarawak’s Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, (6th, left) cuts the ribbon to launch the Sarawak Energy 100 Years of Powering Sarawak Exhibition at Borneo Cultures Museum

Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication toggling the switches on an interactive panel at the exhibit.

Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Sarawak’s Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, and Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Sarawak Energy Chairman in a photo with the artisans from Bakun, Murum and Baleh

Hajah Siti Aisah Adenan, Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Corporate Services (right) receives a copy of the Guinness World Records certificate from Peng Doh Belaga for the Longest Woven Rug/Mat