KUCHING: Vendors and contractors engaged by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) have been urged to continue leveraging opportunities in the areas of renewable energy, digital innovation, and infrastructure development.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said this would not enhance local competencies but strengthen the resilience of the workforce for the future.
“By continuing to build local capabilities and advancing socioeconomic development together, we can strengthen Sarawak’s position as a renewable energy leader in the region, and secure a sustainable, resilient future for all Sarawakians,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Energy Vendor Excellence Awards (SEVEA) 2025 held at Waterfront Hotel here on Friday night.
Julaihi further said he was pleased to note the increasing involvement of local and Bumiputera vendors in SEB’s supply chain and projects.
“Sarawak Energy, through the implementation of Sarawak Energy e-Procurement System (SEPRO), has attracted and facilitated the registration of many credible vendors.
“As of 2024, a total number of 5,335 vendors have registered with SEPRO, comprising of 4,325 contractors, 484 consultants and 2,385 suppliers,” he added.
On a related note, he said Sarawak’s journey towards becoming a high-income and developed state as outlined in the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint (SDE) 2030, is guided by ambitious targets and shaped by the collective contributions of the government, industry players, private sectors, local enterprises and communities across Sarawak – from the coastal towns to the interiors and highlands.
“My ministry plays a central role in laying the foundation for this transformation by ensuring that the necessary and critical infrastructure, and reliable utility services such as electricity, water and telecommunications, reach every corner of our vast and diverse state,” he said.
As Sarawak’s primary energy utility and developer, and a key agency under his ministry, he said SEB has been instrumental in accelerating development goals.
“Together, we are working to realise our shared aspirations that every Sarawakian, regardless of location, has access to modern, efficient and sustainable utility services,” he said.
He added achieving the PCDS 2030 vision will require robust enablers, including reliable utilities infrastructure, sustainable energy development, digital transformation, and a skilled local workforce.
“As a key player in the renewable energy sector, SEB has demonstrated leadership in driving forward many of these initiatives.
“Yet, none of these achievements would be possible without the contributions of Sarawak Energy’s vendor ecosystem.
“Tonight, we honour all of you – contractors, consultants, service providers and suppliers – who have helped ensure that projects are delivered safely, efficiently and responsibly, often under challenging conditions,” he said.
He said their work enables SEB to supply electricity to rural longhouses and villages, enhance grid reliability in fast-growing towns across Sarawak, and contributed to its aspirations of becoming a net exporter of renewable energy in the near future.
