NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
9 SEPTEMBER 2024

Sarawak Energy, in collaboration with Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) under the Department of the Premier of Sarawak, organised the inaugural Critical Infrastructure Summit 2024 on 9 September at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, Kuching. Themed “Building Resilience Through Security Strategies”, the summit gathered close to 400 security professionals from Sarawak’s agencies and corporations for discussions addressing key challenges in safeguarding the state’s critical infrastructure and assets.

Officiated by The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, the full-day event provided a platform for security professionals to share experiences, strategies, and best practices, with the goal of strengthening the security framework for critical infrastructure. As physical threats and cyber-attacks continue to rise, the summit highlighted the importance of securing critical assets and encouraging collaboration between government agencies, private entities and international partners. The discussions also focused on new technologies and innovation that can improve infrastructure security.

In his speech, The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi stressed the importance of collective action in ensuring infrastructure security.

“The security of our critical infrastructure is not the responsibility of a single entity; it requires coordinated efforts between government agencies and private sector partners. Through knowledge-sharing and developing integrated response frameworks, we can strengthen our collective defence against a wide range of threats, from cyber intrusions to physical attacks. This summit provides a crucial platform to build partnerships and learn from one another’s experiences,” the minister said.

“As we continue expanding our renewable energy capacity, commissioning and integrating more renewable-based projects, it is critical that we remain vigilant and proactive in protecting our infrastructure. The discussions at this summit help guide our way forward in strengthening our security framework,” said Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy’s Group Chief Executive Officer in his welcoming address.

“At Sarawak Energy, we have adopted best practices in risk management and cultivated a strong Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) culture, where every employee takes ownership of HSSE matters, including security,” he continued.

According to Datuk Sharbini, Sarawak Energy will continue to build on the insights and strategies shared at the summit, further enhancing the security of its critical infrastructure and ensuring a resilient operational environment.

The summit discussions began with a keynote session titled “Collaborative & Integrated Security Management”, moderated by veteran media personality Kamarul Bahrin Haron. The session explored strategies for enhancing Sarawak's critical infrastructure security, focusing on border security challenges such as copper theft, the importance of public-private partnerships, and best practices for threat intelligence sharing. Speakers included Datu Dr. Chai Khin Chung, Director of UKPS; SAC Wong Ing Fung, Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), representing CP Dato Mancha Ata, Sarawak Police Commissioner; Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Electricity Supply for the Sarawak Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT); Marconi Madai, Sarawak Energy’s Senior Vice President for HSSE; and Hairil Anuar Husin, Senior Manager for Planning and Strategy Services at the Center of Expertise (COE), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

The summit featured three plenary sessions, each addressing key aspects of infrastructure security. The first session, "A Maturity Model for a Resilient Security Programme", moderated by Taqiuddin Ahmad Kendong, Senior Manager of HSSE at Sarawak Energy, focused on closing security gaps and enhancing the resilience of Sarawak’s infrastructure. The second session, "Critical Infrastructure Security & Management Strategies", moderated by Mona Abdul Manap, CEO of Place Borneo, discussed proactive security, disaster recovery and international collaboration. The final session, "Managing Threats with Advanced Technologies & Tactics", moderated by Rajan Thangaveloo, Associate Professor at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced technologies in mitigating cybersecurity threats and improving incident response.

Sarawak Energy’s approach to security includes regular emergency preparedness drills, ensuring that gaps are identified and addressed to strengthen overall business resilience. Collaboration with local and international partners, including government and private entities, is key to addressing security challenges. This collaborative effort ensures robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans, enabling Sarawak Energy to maintain operational excellence.

Participants of the summit included representatives from TNB, PDRM, the National Security Council, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad, PETRONAS, PETROS, Sarawak Metro, Telekom Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Austral Group, National Cyber Security Agency Malaysia, Sarawak Multimedia Authority, and Cyber Security Malaysia.

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy’s Group Chief Executive Officer, delivering his welcoming address at the Critical Infrastructure Summit 2024, where he emphasised the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in protecting infrastructure amidst the company’s expanding renewable energy projects.

The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, highlighted the need for collective action between government agencies and private sector partners to safeguard critical infrastructure from rising physical and cyber threats in his keynote speech at the Critical Infrastructure Summit 2024

The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (third left), officiating the launch of the Critical Infrastructure Summit 2024. Also pictured (from left) are Deputy Superintendent of Police Alif Haiqal Ramesh Abdullah, Assistant Director of the National Security Council (MKN) Sarawak; Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer; Datu Dr. Chai Khin Chung, Director of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS); and Marconi Madai, Senior Vice President for Health, Safety, Security, Environment (HSSE), Sarawak Energy.

The keynote session, “Collaborative & Integrated Security Management,” moderated by veteran media personality Kamarul Bahrin Haron, explored strategies for enhancing Sarawak's critical infrastructure security. Speakers included (from left) Datu Dr. Chai Khin Chung (Director of UKPS), Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab (Deputy Permanent Secretary, MUT), SAC Wong Ing Fung (Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department Chief, PDRM), Marconi Madai (SVP, HSSE, Sarawak Energy), and Hairil Anuar Husin (Senior Manager, COE, TNB).