NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
20 NOVEMBER 2025

Sarawak Energy is strengthening its support for local vendors by collaborating with Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) Malaysia to expand access to financing.

The partnerships, formalised through two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), enable vendors to access financing facilities for working capital, equipment procurement and business expansion. These initiatives aim to strengthen vendor capabilities and ensure continuity of project delivery across the organisation’s supply chain.

“Our approach to sustainable vendor development is built on strong partnerships that enable local businesses to grow alongside us,” said Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Energy. “Collaborating with financial institutions and development agencies such as PUNB and UOB allows us to help local vendors build capacity, access funding and strengthen delivery performance. This reflects our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals and to advancing a resilient, inclusive supply chain that supports Sarawak’s development.”

Through its Vendor Development Programme (VDP), Sarawak Energy continues to enhance governance, build technical competencies and provide clear engagement pathways for vendors. Complementing this is the Vendor Financing Programme, which facilitates access to financial support through partnerships with banking institutions.

This commitment has contributed to a rise in local vendor participation, which grew by more than 70% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Most contracts were awarded to Sarawak-based businesses, reflecting the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local supplier capabilities and support inclusive growth within Sarawak’s business community.

Over the years, Sarawak Energy has also established similar arrangements with several financial institutions, including Bank Islam, RHB Bank, SME Bank and Ikhtiar Factoring. The new collaborations with PUNB and UOB build on this foundation by expanding the range of financing options available to local vendors, further strengthening the supply chain ecosystem.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at Menara Sarawak Energy on 12 November. Signing on behalf of Sarawak Energy was Sharbini, witnessed by Senior Vice President for Legal and Compliance, George Chapman. PUNB was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Izwan Zainuddin, witnessed by General Manager of Business Division, Razlan Bachik. Representing UOB Malaysia was its Country Head of Transaction Banking, Lucas Chew, and witnessed by Country Head of Wholesale Banking, Andy Cheah.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (second left) and PUNB Chief Executive Officer Izwan Zainuddin (second right) signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand financing support for Sarawak Energy’s registered vendors. The signing was witnessed by Senior Vice President for Legal and Compliance George Chapman (first left) and PUNB General Manager of Business Division Razlan Bachik (first right).

Representatives from Sarawak Energy and PUNB at the MoU signing ceremony held at Menara Sarawak Energy. The collaboration provides additional financing options to strengthen vendor capacity and support continuity of project delivery.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (second left) and UOB Malaysia Country Head of Transaction Banking Lucas Chew (second right) formalising the MoU to broaden financing access for Sarawak Energy’s vendor community. The signing was witnessed by Sarawak Energy Senior Vice President for Legal and Compliance George Chapman (first left) and UOB Malaysia Country Head of Wholesale Banking Andy Cheah (first right).

Sarawak Energy and UOB Malaysia representatives at the MoU signing ceremony. The partnership supports vendor development through improved access to working capital, equipment financing and business expansion facilities.