NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
3 AUGUST 2026

The Board of Directors of Sarawak Energy Berhad today announced the appointment of Dato Ruslan bin Abdul Ghani as Group Chief Executive Officer Designate, effective 1 September 2026. He will assume the role of Group Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2026, following the retirement of Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili upon the completion of his current contract at the end of October 2026.

Dato Ruslan joins Sarawak Energy from Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, where he currently serves as President and Group Chief Executive Officer. An engineer by training, he holds a Master of Science in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Before joining Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, he spent 32 years with PETRONAS, serving in senior leadership positions in Malaysia and internationally, including Sudan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan. During his tenure at Bintulu Port Holdings, he played an instrumental role in the successful transfer of the Port from Federal to Sarawak ownership while driving organisational transformation, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

As Group Chief Executive Officer Designate, Dato Ruslan will work closely with Datuk Haji Sharbini and the Group Executive Committee over the next two months to ensure a seamless and orderly leadership transition.

Chairman of Sarawak Energy, Datuk Haji Ibrahim Baki, said the appointment reflects the Board's confidence in Dato Ruslan's ability to lead Sarawak Energy into its next phase of growth.

"Dato Ruslan brings extensive leadership experience, strategic vision and a proven track record of delivering transformation across complex organisations. His expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, combined with his strong commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, will enable Sarawak Energy to continue advancing its long-term strategy while supporting Sarawak's renewable energy aspirations."

The Chairman also expressed the Board's sincere appreciation to Datuk Haji Sharbini for his outstanding corporate leadership and dedicated service to Sarawak Energy.

"Under Datuk Haji Sharbini's leadership, Sarawak Energy has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's leading renewable energy utilities through the successful implementation of the Sarawak Energy Excellence Roadmap. He strengthened the Group's operational and financial resilience, expanded regional energy connectivity and firmly positioned Sarawak as an emerging renewable energy powerhouse."

During his tenure, Datuk Haji Sharbini led the acquisition of the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant, strengthened Sarawak Energy's financial position while maintaining international investment-grade and domestic AAA credit ratings and embedded a strong health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) culture across the organisation. Under his leadership, the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant received the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025 and Hydropower Sustainability Standard Silver Certification, reinforcing Sarawak Energy's international standing in sustainable hydropower.

"On behalf of the Board, I extend our deepest appreciation to Datuk Haji Sharbini for his exemplary service and dedication to Sarawak Energy and Sarawak. His contributions have established a strong platform for the organisation's continued success, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours."

The leadership transition reflects Sarawak Energy's commitment to strong corporate governance and succession planning. The transition will not affect the Group's operations, strategic priorities or commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable and affordable energy to its customers, business partners and stakeholders.

Dato Ruslan bin Abdul Ghani is appointed Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Designate, effective 1 September 2026. He will assume the role of Group Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2026

Over the past decade under Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili’s leadership, Sarawak Energy has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's leading renewable energy utilities