SEB accorded Gold Award for CSR programmes
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes have made a positive and significant difference for communities affected by its projects.
Developed in consultation with these communities, the corporation’s CSR programmes have been accorded the Gold Award at the prestigious 9th Annual Global CSR Summit & Awards in Langkawi recently.
Sarawak Energy was recognised in t he ‘ Be s t C ommuni t y Programme’ category for its overall CSR programmes at Batang Ai where the state’s fi rst hydroelectric plant developed 30 years ago is located.
These programmes include suppor t ing the Batang Ai communi t ie s in t erms o f educat ion ne eds, cul ture and heritage preservat ion, development projects and the regenerat ion of social and economic opportunities.
Sarawak Energy’s CSR solar project at Batang Ai, river clearing initiatives and recreational event, the Batang Ai mountain bike jamboree were specially mentioned.
Sarawak Energy’s head of CSR Jiwari Abdullah received the award from United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia president Ramesh Kana.
Also present were Sarawak Energy senior managers for Social Investment and Community Development Joanne Tan and Renewable Energy Goh Chin Chai.
Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Sharbini Suhaili said the corporation was
On this award, we highlighted our long-term work with the communities in Batang Ai. Aisah Eden, Sarawak Energy executive vice president of Corporate Services
both humbled and honoured by the award.
“This further validates our CSR strategy. We believe in developing long term, sustainable partnerships that meet real community needs and this shows we’re on the right track,” he said in a publicity release.
“This will motivate us to do even more to contribute to the wellbeing of Sarawakians especially through projects that leave a longterm positive legacy,” he added.
Adding on, Sarawak Energy execut ive vice- president of Corporate Services Aisah Eden said the award added on to the accolades earned for its CSR efforts including the Gold Award in 2015 for its f lagship Penan Literacy Programme and education initiatives for the Murum community and Si lver Award in 2016 for its CSR initiatives in education and literacy for Baram’s rural communities.
“On this award, we highlighted our long- term work with the communities in Batang Ai. Although the power station was commissioned some 30 years ago, we believe there is still more to be done to support the communities there and we do so guided by the International Hydropower Associat ion Sustainabi l ity Assessment Protocol,” she said.
Out of 146 entries received from all over the world, a fi nal selection of 38 companies were awarded top honours in the 16 main award categories which included Best Community Programme, Best Environmental Excel lence, Excellence in Provision of Literacy & Education, Empowerment of Women and CSR Leadership.
Other winning companies this year include Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Bank Indonesia, XL Axiata, YTL Corporation Berhad, DHL Vietnam, Samsung South East Asia, Friesland Campina, Tata Consultancy and Indosat Ooredoo.
The event also featured a panel discussion on ’Rural Community Engagement Strategies – How to Keep Rural Communities Engaged and Committed to Sustainable Practices for the Long Run’ during which Jiwari shared Sarawak Energy’s experience in managing expectations of the communities, its active engagements and how sustainability is incorporated in its operations.
The panel also consists of heads from businesses and NGOs across the region: Asian Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation regional director David Aru; Tenaga Nasional senior general manager for Corporate Affairs Ir Datuk Aminuddin Mohd Amin and Bangchak Petroleum vice president for Oil Retail Business Warakom Kosolpisitkul.
The discussion was moderated by Blake Advisory Pte Ltd CEO Martin Blake.