KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): Sarawak Energy Bhd, Sarawak’s state-owned electricity utility firm, has named Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani as its next group chief executive officer.
Ruslan, who will depart his current president and group CEO role at Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (KL:BIPORT), will succeed Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, who is retiring at end-October upon expiry of his contract.
He will officially be group CEO-designate starting Sept 1, before assuming full duties as group CEO on Nov 1.
“As group CEO designate, Ruslan will work closely with Sharbini and the group executive committee over the next two months to ensure a seamless and orderly leadership transition,” Sarawak Energy said in a statement on Monday.
An engineer by training, Ruslan brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Before his time at Bintulu Port, Ruslan spent 32 years with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), serving in senior leadership positions in Malaysia and internationally, including Sudan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan.
“His expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, combined with his strong commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, will enable Sarawak Energy to continue advancing its long-term strategy while supporting Sarawak’s renewable energy aspirations,” Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki said.
The leadership transition, Sarawak Energy said, reflects its commitment to strong corporate governance and succession planning.
Earlier on Monday, Bintulu Port announced the appointment of former PETRONAS executive Anuar Ismail as its new group CEO, effective Aug 17.
Anuar most recently served as head of state relations at PETRONAS. Before that, he held several senior leadership positions within the national oil company, including the head of integrated hydrocarbon management at Malaysia Petroleum Management, head of Sarawak assets at PETRONAS Carigali, and chairman and country head of PETRONAS South Sudan.
Anuar holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in the US.
The leadership change at Bintulu Port comes just over a month after Bintulu Port formally completed its transition from a federal port to a state port under the Sarawak government.