Sarawak Energy launches network to empower women employees in corporate, management roles

KUCHING, December 7, 2017 - Sarawak Energy Leading Women Network (SELWN) was launched  by the Group Chief Executive Officer Sharbini Suhaili during the company’s recent annual leadership conference here.

One for the album: (From left) SELWN Head of Network Siti Aisah Adenan, invited speaker Nora Abdul Manaf, SELWN Executive Champion Aisah Eden, SELWN Secretary Hasanah Abdullah with SELWN committee members.

SELWN is a networking platform focused on leadership especially among potential women employees.

It facilitates and supports their development through networking, sharing sessions, forums and talent management.

As part of the 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.

Speaking at the launch, Sharbini,  who is also Council Chairman for SELWN, said as an organisation, it was important to have a diverse and inclusive environment that values people irrespective of gender, background, and experiences.

“Diversity of thoughts and actions leads to innovation and a winning formula. Our female colleagues are an integral part of the Sarawak Energy team in realising our vision to become an ASEAN Powerhouse," he said, adding that their contribution enables SEB  to chart its direction more effectively in its aim to be among the best in class energy provider and power utilities.

“However if we do not take into consideration their concerns like having to assume multiple roles and balancing their career with their responsibilities at home, we will run the risk of losing our top female talents.

"I would like to see more ladies in higher positions and I believe SELWN can help look into developing their full potential taking into consideration the multiple roles they need to play.”

Introducing SELWN during the launch, SEB Executive Vice President for Corporate Services and SELWN Executive Champion Aisah Eden  thanked Sharbini for his strong support in the setting up of SELWN. 

She highlighted that women represents 21% of the total workforce in the company  and out of that percentage, about 8% of them are in the leadership team in the company.

This number, she said, is still far from the national target of 30% for the corporate sector in Malaysia which encompasses three main aspects comprising gender ratio, participation of women in management and the board. 

“Since we first introduced this network through the various ‘Teh Tarik’ sessions with the ladies at headquarters and regional levels, there have been great interests and overwhelming support for this network.

“With the right attitude, behaviour and competence, our women colleagues will definitely succeed as leaders and make this company to grow and become a world class organisation and global player. "SEB should not only be known for its business success but more importantly for championing women empowerment and gender equality," Aisah said.          

A special guest speaker invited during the launch was Maybank Group Chief Human Capital Officer and leading corporate figure in Malaysia Nora Abdul Manaf  who shared her experiences and  challenges that women leaders in the corporate sector are facing.