Women In Project Management - Tanjung Adang Phase 2C Free Zone Development

The Project Integration Division (PID) is a driving force behind PTP’s Environmental, Sustainable and Governance (ESG) agenda. Providing women with equal opportunities is one of the sustainability goals that are top priority for PID. Extensive research shows that gender balance enables a company to achieve long-term value creation by utilizing the different skillsets that both men and women bring to the mix. PID recognises the advantages of having a more diverse workplace and by blending male and female views it aims to achieve project excellence.

Traditionally Project Management has always been a male dominated field, however a shift is taking place, and women are playing an increasingly important role in projects. PID makes a conscious effort to hire employees based on merit rather than on gender, and by giving women an equal chance to hold key positions, the division has a wider pool of candidates to choose from, enabling it to build robust teams that can successfully manage highly complex infrastructure projects.

Empowering and supporting its female employees has also resulted in enhanced employee engagement because women see that they can have a career in Project Management and are supported by their managers while doing so. With their relationship-oriented approach women are well-suited for positions that rely heavily on communication, collaboration, and problem solving. These skills are important for innovative projects such as the Tanjung Adang Free Zone Development.

Managed by Umar Faruq Jamaluddin and his MMC Engineering counterpart Nurul Taqwa Abd Halim, the project team consists of an above average number of women who contribute to the project’s success with their in-depth knowledge of contract management, procurement and finance. The highly strategic RM 102,5M megaproject includes 51 acres of land reclamation to meet the increasing demands for free zone. Once completed, it will offer employment to over 500 people, which in turn will have a positive economic ripple effect on their families and the wider community. The project scope also includes the replanting of mangroves to offset the carbon footprint caused by the project as well as other sustainable initiatives such as LED lighting and optimizing sand quantities which is expected to further reduce carbon emission by 400 tonnes.

Of course, change doesn’t come without its challenges. Women pursuing a career often have to juggle work and a personal life. They have to step outside of their comfort zones and sometimes even struggle against cultural norms that determine the type of employment a woman can hold. The women of the Tanjung Adang project are responsible for decisions that will have a major impact on time, cost and quality targets. This can be daunting at times but it has not deterred them, and they are now a shining example that it is possible for a woman to break with stereotypes and have a flourishing career in Project Management.

Special thanks to: Nordina Ali (Contract Management), Norita Nasir (Financial Control), Teh Bong Shin (Procurement & Tender), Nurul Taqwa Abd Halim, (Project Manager for MMC Engineering), Maslinda Elias (Document Control), Norlela Md. Zin (Project Finance), Norliah Sakib (Government Liaison), Norazlinda Md Noh (Project Planning), Dr Irwana Abd Malek (Head of Supply Chain Division), and Nurhidayah Tosrin (Procurement & Tender), for contributing their wealth of experience and expertise to the operational, decision making, stakeholder management and leadership requirements of the Tanjung Adang project.

Also thanks to: Noraini bt Mat Jeni (Infrastructure Consultant, T&T Konsult), Noasmaliza Ahmad (Post Contract Control, MMCE), Muniyati Abd Azam (Finance, HR and Admin, MMCE), Ir. Aniza Md Idris (Design Manager, MMCE), Faridah Mohd Nor (Contract Manager, MMCE), Catherine Tai (Procurement Manager, MMCE), and Aimi Huda (Project Technical Support) from the contractor and consultants engaged for this project.