The First Women in Energy Book:
Celebrating Women’s Contributions in Shaping Malaysia’s Energy Transition

Putrajaya, 10th January 2025 – The Malaysian Gas Association (MGA), as the Secretariat of the Malaysian Women in Energy (MyWiE), proudly supported the launch of the inaugural “Women in Energy: Pioneers, Innovators, and Change Makers in Malaysia.” This groundbreaking book, initiated by Datuk Dr. Yatimah Sarjiman, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy (Sectoral), features 25 inspiring women leaders across the energy sector’s value chain. It also highlights MyWiE as a significant platform for championing diversity and inclusion (D&I) for women in the energy sector. Supported by the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), PETRONAS Leading Women Network (PLWN) and Shell Women Action Network (SWAN), MOGSC WeGo and other industry collaborators, the book is meticulously designed to celebrate the significant contributions these women have made in shaping Malaysia’s energy landscape.

The event commenced with the opening remarks by Datuk Dr. Yatimah Sarjiman and followed by the launch of the book, which was graced by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku Zara Salim. Subsequently, a panel discussion titled “Women in Energy: Pioneers, Innovators and Change Makers in Malaysia,” was held to discuss the key takeaways from the book. The event was closed with closing remarks by Nurul Izzah Anwar, the Chairperson of Yayasan SERI.

The Women in Energy book captures the journeys of 25 exceptional women leaders, highlighting their roles as pioneers, innovators and change makers across the energy value chain. These stories encapsulate their resilience and achievements, demonstrating how their leadership shapes the industry.

Women have been at the forefront of advancements in the energy industry, making substantial contributions across various domains. From leading groundbreaking research and innovation in renewable energy technologies to spearheading policy development and corporate strategies, female leaders have played an instrumental role in shaping Malaysia’s energy transition.

Their work in alignment with the National Energy Transition Roadmap’s (NETR’s) objectives propels the industry towards a more inclusive and diverse future. Their extensive contributions deserve recognition, inspiring future generations to continue advancing sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.

MyWiE: Championing D&I and Fostering Diverse Leadership Across Generations

A special section of the book features MyWiE’s prominent leaders and D&I advocates, highlighting the idea behind the formation of the group and its journey in building the next generation of leaders driving MyWiE’s initiatives.

Notably, the Women in Energy book highlights the collective efforts of MGA member companies and their Women Network Champions, including prominent leaders such as Marina Md Taib, Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy PETRONAS; Norizah Othman, General Manager of Malaysia Projects at Shell Malaysia; Datuk Rodziah, Associate General Counsel for Gas-to-Liquids & Head of Legal at Qatar Shell; and Datuk Zunaidah Idris, MyWiE Advisory Panel member. These influential women are helping to shape the future of the energy industry through their leadership and vision.

Furthermore, MyWiE underscores the importance of young advocates who play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued relevance of the organisation. These young leaders are driving collaborative initiatives that are crucial to advancing the energy sector. Their efforts ensure that the legacy of MyWiE endures, creating a pathway for future generations to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the energy industry.

The book also features inspirational leaders like Hazli Sham Kassim, past MGA President and Zahid Osman, Chair of MyWiE & President & Group CEO of MISC Berhad, who are proud male allies behind the formation of MyWiE.

Celebrating Women’s Contributions in Shaping Malaysia’s Energy Transition

Datuk Dr. Yatimah Sarjiman, in her speech, highlighted that the energy transition offers a unique opportunity for women to lead and shape the future. Globally, women comprise 32% of the renewable energy workforce compared to 22% in Oil and Gas, according to the World Bank’s Energy Progress Report 2021. While these numbers reflect progress, they also underscore the need for continued action. Initiatives such as MyWiE, along with national policies promoting gender equality, are crucial to ensuring that opportunities in this evolving landscape are accessible to all. The stories captured in this book highlight the diverse roles women have played—as engineers, innovators, policymakers and advocates—and their vital contributions to navigating the challenges of the energy transition. These narratives affirm that diversity is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic advantage in driving innovation and achieving sustainable growth.

MGA’s Commitment Towards a Sustainable and Diverse Industry

Abdul Aziz Othman, MGA President is proud of MGA’s role in the establishment of MyWiE and promoting its continued efforts in empowering women and building a more sustainable energy workforce:
“MyWiE is a vital platform for driving diversity and inclusion (D&I) within Malaysia’s energy industry. As we advance towards a just and responsible energy transition and Net Zero Emissions by 2050, empowering women leaders and fostering inclusivity are key to ensuring the sector evolves with innovation and resilience. MGA remains committed to supporting this agenda and calls on the industry to champion greater diversity for a sustainable future. We wish to see MyWiE continue growing, as it has played an important role for the past six years, just as MGA has been leading as the voice of the gas industry since 1986.”

As Malaysia advances toward Net Zero Emissions by 2050, MGA remains at the forefront of advocating for a sustainable energy industry. With initiatives like MyWiE, MGA continues to promote the integration of diversity and inclusion as a cornerstone for innovation and resilience.

A Call to Action to Embrace Diversity & Inclusion

Women’s talent is key as Malaysia becomes the leading country in the energy transition, MGA staunchly supports the call on the energy industry to embrace and champion diversity and inclusion at all levels. We strongly encourage the industry to adopt the MyWiE Purple Book, which was published in 2018, as a valuable reference. The Purple Book outlines best practices and recommendations for promoting diversity and inclusion within the energy sector. By incorporating these proven strategies into corporate and industry practices, we can create a more inclusive, diverse and sustainable workforce, critical to advancing Malaysia’s energy transition.