Handal appoints former Sabah attorney general Datuk Mariati Robert to board
KUCHING: Handal Energy Bhd (Handal), a leading integrated services provider to the oil and gas (O&G) industry, has announced the appointment of Sabah’s former attorney general, Datuk Mariati Robert, as an independent and nonexecutive director of the board of directors effective immediately.
“Mariati’s legal background and experience will be helpful in guiding and advising the Company in matters of corporate governance,” Handal independent non-executive chairman Tengku Baderul Zaman Ibni Sultan Mahmud said.
“As Handal implements our plans to grow the business and increase shareholder value, we want to ensure that we remain transparent and above board in all we do.
“We would also value Mariati’s advise in how the company can ensure increased participation of women in senior roles given her role in empowering women in Sabah and her previous role as the state’s attorney general.
“Her appointment is a welcome addition to the board of Handal as she will enhance the independence of the board while her appointment also complements the company’s diversified board of directors whose members come with experience and expertise in various fields and professions.”
Handal group managing director Sunildeep Dhaliwal said that they are delighted to welcome Mariati to the board of Handal and look forward to her support and guidance.
“Her legal background and experience will be an important asset to the company as we diversify our business as part of the growth plans,” Dhaliwal added.
Mariati graduated with a law degree from the University of Malaya in 1977 and was attached to the Attorney General’s Chambers as a deputy public prosecutor and assistant director of the Legal Aid Bureau (Sabah Branch).
She set up her own practice in 1991 and in 2013, she became only the second woman after 46 years to be appointed as Sabah’s attorney general, a significant milestone for her and Sabah.
Prior to serving as Sabah’s attorney general, she has also served as an independent non-executive director as well as member of the audit and nomination committees of Innoprise Plantations Bhd (formerly known as Sinora Industries Bhd) between 1996 and 2014.
Mariati has been active in various associations involving women empowerment at the state level.
From 2012 to 2016, she was the chairman of the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council, set up to encourage, facilitate and increase opportunities for women’s participation in the socio-economic development of the state.
She was also an active member of the Kota Kinabalu Mosque Women Syukbah as well as being involved in economic leadership programmes for rural women.
She was awarded the state-level Maulidur Rasul Award in 2019 for her services and contributions in promoting women empowerment.