16^th May, Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) announced the new line-up of council members and outlined increased gas advocacy efforts in 2018, during its 32^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM). The proceedings saw Hazli Sham Kassim, Senior General Manager, Integrated Hydrocarbon Management, Malaysia Petroleum Management at PETRONAS, continuing as MGA’s President and the appointment of two female leaders joining council members to collectively spearhead the gas industry into its next phase of growth.

During the AGM, Hazli unveiled the 2017 Annual Report detailing MGA’s challenges and successes of the past year. The council also discussed strategies to reach out to key stakeholders, expand participation in international events, attract new members and increase MGA’s visibility in the year ahead.

Speaking at the AGM, Hazli said “I am honoured to be leading MGA again. The association looks forward to engaging with policy makers and regulators to play a role in ensuring Malaysia’s socio-economic progress. I call upon all MGA members to work together to create a vibrant natural gas sector.”“As we embark on this journey, I take great pride in welcoming two eminent ladies to our council. With their respective background in the gas sector and corporate finance, their years of experience and expertise will be invaluable in expanding MGA’s role as the voice of the industry,” he added.

The AGM saw the appointments of Suying Seah, Director of LNG Business for Shell Malaysia and Datuk Zunaidah Idris, Head of Dealing, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Institutional Business Group (CIBG) Public, Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad, to MGA’s council.

Suying Seah said, “I am delighted for the opportunity to be a part of MGA’s council. It is not just an honour but a huge responsibility which I am keen to take on with the support from the rest of the council.”

“I hope my experience in the gas industry over the last two decades will help further the cause of MGA as the leading voice for the industry. I am equally committed to support MGA’s work in empowering women based on merit, talent and determination,” she added.

Leading up to the appointments, MGA collaborated with the 30% Club, PETRONAS Leading Women Network (PLWN), Shell Women Action Network (SWAN) and GE Women Network to champion equal opportunities for women in the energy sector, predominantly in leadership positions.

Recently, MGA was appointed the Secretariat for the newly formed Malaysia Women in Energy (MyWie), a women’s advocacy group, to continue engaging in discussions and developing proposals with various stakeholders to address challenges faced by women in the energy sector.

Datuk Zunaidah Idris said, “MGA has an impressive line-up of prominent members who are championing the natural gas movement and I am honoured to be a part of this effort to drive Malaysia’s sustainable socio-economic progress.”

“Given my experience in the corporate sector, I personally know very promising women across several industries and am continually inspired by their fortitude in overcoming challenges. With these insights and together with MGA’s MyWie, I look forward to proactively contributing to the women in the gas sector,” she concluded.

To ramp up the utilisation of natural gas and increase industry participation, MGA will lead Malaysian delegations and present industry insights at prominent international platforms such as the International Gas Union’s World Gas Conference (WGC 2018) in Washington, USA, Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Barcelona, Spain and International Gas Technology Exchange Meeting and Exposition of Western Pacific Region in Asia (GASEX) in Hangzhou, China.

For the complete line-up of newly appointed council members and for further details on MGA, please visit: www.malaysiangas.com