KUCHING – Sarawak Energy Berhad has formally announced the selection of Dato Ruslan Abdul Ghani as its incoming chief executive, marking a significant leadership transition for the state utility provider.
The Board of Directors confirmed that he will assume the role of Prospective Group Chief Executive Officer starting 1 September 2026, with full authority transferring on 1 November following the retirement of current head Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.
Dato Ruslan arrives from Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, where he currently serves as President and Group Chief Executive Officer.
His appointment concludes a structured succession planning process designed to maintain operational continuity and strategic momentum.
The two-month overlap period allows for comprehensive knowledge transfer between the outgoing and incoming leaders alongside the Group Executive Committee.
An engineering graduate holding a Master of Science in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, Dato Ruslan brings over three decades of senior leadership experience across energy and infrastructure sectors.
Before his current port authority role, he spent thirty-two years with PETRONAS in various domestic and international postings, including Sudan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan. This global exposure complements his deep understanding of Sarawak’s industrial landscape.
During his tenure at Bintulu Port Holdings, he successfully navigated the complex transfer of port ownership from federal to state jurisdiction whilst simultaneously driving organisational transformation and sustainable growth.
These achievements demonstrate his capability in managing high-stakes institutional transitions and delivering operational excellence within critical infrastructure entities. Such credentials align closely with Sarawak Energy’s current developmental priorities.
Board Chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki expressed strong confidence in the appointee’s capacity to guide the organisation through its next growth phase.
In a media statement, he noted that “Dato Ruslan brings extensive leadership experience, strategic vision and a proven track record in driving complex organisational transformation.”
He further emphasised that this expertise, combined with commitment to sustainability, would support continued execution of long-term strategy and Sarawak’s renewable energy aspirations.
The chairman also paid tribute to Datuk Sharbini Suhaili’s distinguished service upon the expiry of his contract at the end of October.
Under his stewardship, Sarawak Energy evolved into one of Southeast Asia’s leading renewable utilities through successful implementation of the Roadmap for Excellence.
Financial resilience was strengthened whilst maintaining international investment-grade and domestic AAA credit ratings throughout his tenure.
Significant milestones achieved during the outgoing CEO’s leadership include the acquisition of Bakun Hydroelectric Plant and expansion of regional energy connectivity networks.
Notably, the facility earned the Blue Planet 2025 Award from the International Hydropower Association alongside Silver Certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
These accolades have cemented Sarawak’s reputation internationally in sustainable hydropower development.
Datuk Ibrahim highlighted that robust Health, Safety, Security and Environment practices were deeply embedded within the organisation during this period.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Datuk Haji Sharbini for his outstanding service and dedication to Sarawak Energy and Sarawak,” he stated.
He added that these contributions established solid foundations for future success and wished him well in forthcoming endeavours.
This leadership change reflects adherence to strong corporate governance principles and orderly succession planning protocols.
Stakeholders have been assured that daily operations, strategic priorities and commitments to reliable, sustainable, affordable energy provision remain unaffected by the transition.
Business partners and customers can expect consistent service delivery throughout this period of executive changeover.
The incoming CEO’s background in both energy and port logistics suggests potential synergies as Sarawak expands its green hydrogen and export-orientated renewable initiatives.
Integrating generation capacity with export infrastructure represents a key pillar of the state’s post-2030 economic strategy.
Dato Ruslan’s dual-sector expertise may therefore prove particularly valuable in advancing these integrated development agendas.
Industry observers note that leadership stability remains crucial as Sarawak Energy pursues ambitious decarbonisation targets and cross-border power trading arrangements.
The deliberate handover process signals institutional maturity and reduces uncertainty typically associated with executive changes.
Continued focus on operational excellence and sustainability standards will likely characterise the incoming administration’s approach to fulfilling the utility’s public mandate.
