KUCHING: Sarawak Energy’s leadership in community development initiatives was recognised with two Gold Awards at the 14th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam, earlier this November.
In a press statement today, Sesco said Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer and Sarawak’s primary power utility, Sarawak Energy, were awarded Gold under the ‘Best Community Programme Award’ category for its ‘Empowering Safe and Resilient Indigenous Communities’ in Bakun Programme, and Gold under the ‘Empowerment of Women Award’ for its ‘Empowering Indigenous Women Communities Programme’.
Sesco added that its initiatives were focused on capacity building and sustainable livelihoods to empower women in its project-affected areas.
“Sarawak Energy’s social performance programmes include Sarawak Energy’s Penan Adult Literacy Programme, which covers Murum and Baram; the Handicraft Development Programme for socio-economic growth and heritage preservation, mainly indigenous crafts; and Entrepreneurship and Capacity Development, focusing on the Women Entrepreneurship Programme and Upskilling,” Sesco said.
Under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) community investment initiatives, the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) has resettled the communities of Asap Koyan Belaga, comprising 15 longhouses with over 15,600 residents, which are target beneficiaries of a fire safety awareness and prevention programme.
It added that, implemented in partnership with the Sungai Asap Volunteer Fire Association (Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Sungai Asap), volunteers have been trained and acted as first responders to seven fire incidents within the Bakun Resettlement and its neighbouring communities.
“The partnership was set up with the aim to ensure early action and availability of first responders in the event of a fire before the arrival of Bomba, to provide advisory services to the local community on fire hazards and prevention measures, to strengthen coordination with Bomba and other agencies related to fire safety, and to support the maintenance of fire hydrants by the association in their respective areas,” Sesco said.
Commenting on the awards, Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili said the international recognition was made possible with the support and guidance of the Sarawak government, the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and the dedication of their 5,400 employees.
“Most importantly, we thank our partner communities who have been affected by our hydropower projects and operations and continue to work with us on sustainable livelihood programmes – these programmes and these awards would not be possible if not for their support, cooperation, and willingness to work with us.
“As we progress and learn, we will continue to build on our commitment to embed sustainable practices into our business and operations as a responsible renewable energy provider, to advance our ambition of building a sustainable energy future for Sarawak and the region,” he added.
Sarawak Energy Corporate Services senior vice president Siti Aisah Adenan added that through their social investment initiatives, Sarawak Energy is committed to supporting community development and entrepreneurship, where they strive to invest and drive progress amongst the communities in the areas they operate in.
She added that the Empowerment of Women Award validates the group’s numerous initiatives undertaken since 2012, and Sesco looks forward to seeing effective volunteer firefighters from its firefighting programme in the Bakun Resettlement Scheme.
Meanwhile, representing Sarawak Energy to receive the awards was Corporate Social Responsibility general manager Jiwari Abdullah.
Accompanying him were Social Investment and Community Development manager Jacklyn Dominic Merickan, Community Relations and Consultation manager Augustine Supen Taja, Murum HEP station manager Encharang Ngtingih, Community Relations senior executive Irwan Borhan, Social Investment & Planning senior executive Zoee Hillson and Bakun HEP engineer Gloria Justin, who represented Jonny Bakun HEP station manager Wong Kwei Ji.
