KUCHING – Bakun Dam, operated by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), has been recognised with the Best Dam Operator Award at the International Conference on Dam Safety Management and Engineering (ICDSME) 2025, held in Kuching this week.
The award was presented by Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, who commended SEB for its consistent commitment to safety, operational reliability and efficiency in managing one of Southeast Asia’s largest hydroelectric facilities.
The ICDSME 2025 conference, hosted for the first time in Sarawak, gathered more than 300 participants from across the globe, including engineers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders.
The event, themed “Dam Safety: Energy Transition and Water Transformation”, focused on the role of hydropower in sustainable energy development and the challenges posed by climate change and seismic risks.
In his address, Dr Hazland highlighted the importance of the conference in strengthening Sarawak’s position as a regional leader in renewable energy and dam safety.
He noted that managing large-scale hydropower structures in tropical regions requires heightened vigilance due to unpredictable weather patterns and environmental pressures.
“This conference is not just a technical platform, but a key pillar of public trust and policy stability,” he said. “Operating large-scale hydronic structures in tropical regions with increasingly uncertain seismic and climate change risks requires the highest level of sensitivity and safety controls.”
The Deputy Minister also emphasised the role of professional bodies such as the Malaysian National Committee on Large Dams (MYCOLD) in advancing industry expertise.
He said continuous training, specialised programmes and knowledge-sharing among practitioners are vital to maintaining high standards in dam management.
Other awards were also presented during the event. Teluk Bahang Dam, managed by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn. Bhd., received the Best Maintenance Dam Award, while Chenderoh Dam, operated by TNB Power Generation Sdn. Bhd., was honoured with the Community Safety Dam Award.
“Congratulations to all the recipients of these extraordinary awards. Your dedication and commitment ensure that the progress and safety of dams continue to be maintained for the benefit of future generations,” Dr Hazland added.
The ICDSME 2025 conference, organised in collaboration with MYCOLD and supported by international partners, featured keynote sessions, technical workshops and exhibitions.
Discussions centred on emerging technologies, flood management strategies, and the integration of dam safety into broader energy transition policies.
By hosting the event, Sarawak has further reinforced its ambition to be a hub for green energy innovation in the region, while also showcasing its capacity to manage critical infrastructure with international recognition.
