KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SEC) today successfully convened its inaugural ESG Forum 2025 under the theme ‘From Intention to Impact: Building a Fit-for-Purpose ESG Future’. The event was held at Menara SEC, one of Kota Kinabalu’s latest office landmarks.
The forum brought together over 100 delegates from state agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), financial institutions, and sustainability practitioners. Its aim was to foster collaboration and accelerate ESG adoption across Sabah’s energy sector and beyond.
In his opening remarks, SEC Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Adzmir Abd Rahman, welcomed guests to Menara SEC, describing it as the corporation’s new home and a symbol of progress. He highlighted SEC’s responsibility to pursue responsible and forward-looking energy development that balances environmental stewardship, economic growth, and community well-being.
As part of its broader ESG commitments, Datuk Adzmir also announced the launch of an annual Corporate Charity Run, aimed at promoting community health and social impact. This initiative reflects SEC’s ongoing efforts to enhance community well-being through inclusive, purpose-driven engagement beyond the corporate sphere.
The forum was officiated by SEC Group Chairman, YB Datuk Annuar Ayub. In his address, he emphasised that ESG is not just a reporting tool but a strategic lever for long-term competitiveness and resilience. He described the forum as a defining step in embedding sustainability as a shared value across Sabah’s institutional ecosystem.
Datuk Annuar reaffirmed SEC’s commitment to institutionalising ESG best practices through a 12-week exercise culminating in a roadmap towards a fit-for-purpose, Sukuk-ready Sustainable Finance Framework. The afternoon session featured a deep-dive facilitated by Maybank with SEC’s leadership to enhance its ESG ambitions and framework components in line with international sustainability standards.
Maybank Investment Bank Berhad has been appointed as SEC’s Sole Principal Adviser, Lead Arranger, and Lead Manager for the establishment of its inaugural Sukuk Programme, as well as the Sustainability Structuring Adviser for its Sustainable Finance Framework. Michael Oh-Lau, CEO of Maybank Investment Bank, stated, “Sabah is at an inflection point in its renewable energy journey, with untapped potential in solar, bioenergy, and geothermal. Maybank, as a regional leader in Islamic debt capital markets and sustainable finance, is partnering with SEC to establish a Shariah-compliant, sustainability-ready funding platform to support its energy transition efforts and direct capital towards developing the state’s energy resources.”
The event also featured impactful presentations from En. Wan Sayuti of PETRONAS and En. Nazim Noor, Director of ESG Strategy & Solutions at Maybank Group Global Banking, on national ESG imperatives and Sabah’s potential. This was followed by a dynamic panel session with insights from AGV Environment, Maybank Investment Bank, Ms. Valerie Ng, Head of Sustainable Finance, and SEC’s ESG initiators.
This Forum is envisioned as a flagship platform to mainstream ESG leadership within Sabah, marking SEC’s bold step to connect sustainability ambitions with tangible outcomes.-pr/BNN
