2009-07-07 - More than 60 highly regarded leaders from the oil and gas, chemicals, power, metals and mining industries as well as international EPCs, utilities and key government agencies attended a one-day forum organized by ABB Malaysia recently.
The forum themed ‘Challenges and Opportunities of the New Economic Realities and the Energy Sector’ is part of the company’s corporate citizenry initiative aimed at providing industry leaders with a deeper understanding of the changing economic landscape, its impact on the local economy and opportunities for turning challenges into long-term growth.
Officiated by the Deputy Secretary General (Energy), Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water on behalf of the Honourable Minister YB Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, the program featured leading experts, respected industry professionals and industry players themselves to promote a broad sharing of perspective and views.
In his welcoming address, BK Sim, ABB South Asia Region Manager and Country Manager for ABB Malaysia said “A transformation of our energy system is inevitable. We need to move towards a more sustainable energy source - economically, environmentally and socially”.
ABB Region Manager, South Asia and Country Manager, ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd, BK Sim (left) and Ms Loo Took Gee, Deputy Secretary General (Energy), Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water officiating the ABB Executive Forum. | 
YBhg Dato’ Mohammad Zainal Shaari, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Khazanah Nasional Berhad presenting his paper on ‘Investment Climate and Opportunities in Malaysia’. |
“The Malaysian Government, under the 8th Malaysian Plan (2001 – 2005) has recognized renewable energy as the country’s fifth energy source. In the 9th Malaysian Plan (2006 – 2010), the emphasis has been extended to include energy efficiency which is the most immediate, practical and cost-efficient solution in addressing the nation’s energy challenge in line with the sustainable development agenda of Vision 2020,” he added.
In the Minister’s keynote address, he noted that, “The challenging multiple crises threatening the world economy today demand challenging approaches and solutions to overcome them. The right mix of policy prescription is needed to stimulate recovery”.
“Renewable energy will still be high on the Government’s agenda to complement fossil fuels in the country’s fuel mix. A diversified fuel mix is necessary to ensure security of electricity supply for our country,” he added.
The program included presentations by Robert Prior-Wandesforde, Co-head of Asian Economies, HSBC and YBhg Dato’ Mohammad Zainal Shaari, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
Two roundtable discussions on ‘Driving Energy Efficiency and Productivity through Innovation’ and the ‘National Power Outlook – Challenges and Issues’ featured senior industry players including YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz bin Dato Haji Husain, Group Managing Director, Sarawak Energy Berhad; T. Devendra, Group Chief Operating Officer, Northern Utility Resources Sdn Bhd; Vijya Sethu, Chief Executive Officer, SIMB Standard Strategic Asset Advisors Sdn Bhd; and others.
From left – Lim Chin Oon, South Asia Region Division Manager, Automation Products; D’Wayne Cook, Director – Operations Asia, SGL Carbon Sdn Bhd; and Encik Abi Sofian bin Abdul Hamid, General Manager, Container and Engineering Services, Northport (Malaysia) Berhad in a roundtable discussion on ‘Driving Energy Efficiency and Productivity through Innovation’. | 
Manindar Chawla (left) with T. Devendra, Group Chief Operating Officer, Northern Utility Resources Sdn Bhd and Ir Dr Philip Tan share their perspective on the ‘National Power Outlook – Challenges and Issues’. |