It is an indisputable fact --- a business venture must generate revenue. Profit margin, profit and loss accounting are always top priority. When it comes to environmental concerns and compliance issues, it had always been treated with less regard.
Sad, but this is the traditional way of sustaining a business. Many don't think much about sustaining the earth, which sustains life for everyone. In this modern era, , corporate sustainability trends have shifted and there are now more efforts and commitment toward the environment and corporate governance.
Samaiden Group Berhad Group Managing Director, Ir Chow Pui Hee had started her career with wastewater management which evolved to carbon emission reduction (carbon credit projects), landfill waste management, environmental consulting and eventually to renewable energy industry as an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) consultant.
It was not with the wave of a magic wand that she now helms Samaiden. It had been a road paved with hardship and a steep learning curve.
"Having the right business model and sustainable strategy are important. Wastewater management is important for environmental health and compliance, but it does not bring high economic value. There are more players jumping into renewable energy industry because it brings positive impact to economic growth along with sustainability elements. A business model which banks are willing to fund means that it is financially viable," Chow said
Before graduating from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2001 with a degree in chemical engineering, which also covered environmental engineering, Chow had joined an oleochemicals plant as an intern.
She was required to sit in a room and monitor the process flow of the oleochemicals, and alert the team if something needed rectification.
After her graduation, some of her friends chose to work in the oil and gas industry, while some opted to work in Singapore. But Chow decided to join a water pump and system solutions company where she was tasked to design and build a wastewater management facility from its inception stage which meant she had to collect the water samples, carry out tests and later pitch the solution to the management.
"As the water discharge from the factory has colour effluents, we always had to answer queries from the Department of Environment.
"After that, I also worked in food industries and a palm oil mill. Wastewater treatment plants are always located at the far end of the factory site, usually in remote areas. The biggest problem for women engineers when we do site visits was when we need to look for a toilet. We also need to be in the hot sun in order to collect the water samples.
"Having gone through that, now that I have my own company, I feel sad when young engineers who are just starting out come up to me and complain that foreign workers are earning a higher salary than them.
"Before you jump to the conclusion that Samaiden is not a fair-pay workplace, allow me to explain why this is so," Chow said.
"I will tell my engineers that if they are willing to carry those heavy solar panels and install them under the hot sun, then they may earn as much as the foreign workers. The young engineers are only willing to go for site inspection and then come back to write a report, while the foreign workers are even willing to work overtime.
"It is not easy to find good talents, as most of the top talents have either opt to work abroad such as in Singapore, or joined government-linked companies and multinational corporations. We need fast learners and people with good communication skills --- an "all-rounder" would be a good fit in this dynamic industry which is fast-paced and has a relatively longer timeline.
Samaiden, a leading solutions and services provider in Clean Energy covering residential, commercial and industrial markets, was set up in 2013 with her husband, Fong Yeng Foon who is currently the Executive Director.
From a team that consists of only three in 2015, the company now has a staff strength of 90, and is still expanding as they always adhere to their mission of contributing to clean energy development.
The award-winning company --- with the ASEAN Energy Award 2017 and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Award for contribution to Engineering Industry in Malaysia 2022 (Power Energy and Green Technology Industry category) under its belt --- is positioning itself to be a clean energy services and solutions provider as well as clean energy assets owner in the future. With environmental concern, the company has stepped up their offerings and investments in this industry.
It is already working together with Green RE Sdn Bhd, Sunway Nexis Management Corporation and Chudenko Corporation, among others. As part of the group's overseas expansion plans, the company has ventured to Indonesia and Cambodia through its partnership with Aneka Jaringan and Management Venture Corporation (MVA) last year.
Samaiden was named after the couple's two sons --- Sam, who is currently 18, and Aiden, who is 17. The couple also have a daughter, 11.
