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INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day again celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women today. More so those who manage to hold their own in traditionally male-dominated fields.

With women holding top positions and spearheading important initiatives within an establishment, they are advancing to address crucial issues pertaining Environment, Social Responsibility and governance (ESG).

Shangrila Rasa Ria Resort General Manager Fiona Hagan, believes a woman’s capabilities are equally significant as men in a level playing field. The resort underwent a strategic shift, with ESG in mind, following the Covid pandemic. 

Yvone Sipain, 37, who had been with the resort since 2016, was entrusted with leading the crucial initiative. 

Some of the prominent issues addressed included water consumption which saw a significant decrease in usage percentage, in line with the resorts their Water Saving Drive 2023 campaign.

“In addressing environment, one of our global challenges is water scarcity and our ESG team implemented various measures to address some issues, regardless of their scale, within each department.

“For example, we immediately rectified water leakage from taps, implemented aerator systems with dual toilet flushing system in every room, introduced ‘push system’ usage in swimming pools and addressed various concerns within the kitchen department.

“The reduction in water usage was evident when the external auditor from KPMG reported the good news regarding the significant change in water consumption,” said Yvonne who is from Kg Bundu Tuhan.

In 2022, the focus was on reducing single-use plastic and which proved successful after implementing extensive changes, transitioning nearly all items to biodegradable alternatives. 

In terms of social responsibility, Yvonne emphasised the importance of collaborating with communities for various engagement activities aimed at enhancing and improving relations among people. 

Four rural primary schools, namely SK Bawang Tamparuli, SK Tinambak Topokon, SK Pahu Kiulu and SK Rangalau Baru, also in Kiulu, were adopted from 2024 to 2026 by the resort to undergo Embrace programme. 

This meant ensuring they have access to sufficient food and school supplies.

The programme effectively addressed social responsibility within the framework of ESG which fostered better relationships with the local community.

Under Governance, it involves internal management practices, policies and controls that regulate how the company operates. Ensuring compliance with each task based on the basic requirements of their management, they adhered to standards established within the Shangri-La group.

Their efforts did not go unnoticed and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) awarded them with Green Hotel Certification.

“The certification demonstrates our commitment in addressing and adopting sustainability measures, and to promoting environmentally-friendly and energy conservation,” she said.

She said that the driving force behind the achievement was Fiona, who does not cease to inspire each staff to showcase their potential.

Yuko Kyogoku, the Director of Human Resources, oversees the potentials and abilities of individuals, ensuring that promotions are granted based on merit and capabilities.

Heading the HR, she continued to seek out new talents among individuals who excelled or offered innovative solutions to existing problems. She considered these individuals as assets. Their contributions not only indirectly led to cost savings but also improved the overall well-being of the employees in the long run.

She reflected on her own background, of mixed Japanese and Murut heritage, and belief that women can truly showcase their potential when given the opportunity.

Yuko recalled her mother’s journey, a Murut from a village in Tenom, and was provided the opportunity to work in an office alongside other women from the same village. 

This was when she met a Japanese who was an engineer at the Tenom Pangi Hydro Power Station. 

Felicia Sibir, 41, hails from Kg Rongkod, Tambunan, had served the resort for 24 years since 2000, during which she was transferred to various restaurants within the establishment. 

In the Western kitchen, she stood as the sole female managing tasks before being assigned to kitchens with different cuisines. This enabled her to learn from the best international chefs around the world who were assigned to the Western kitchen.

She described those moments as an “up-side-down” of emotions, due to various incidences that occurred while performing her duty in deepening her knowledge, correcting what was not right, and putting things in order. 

Upon mastering in European cuisine, and other delicacies, Felicia showcased her culinary prowess to the resorts advantage.  

During the height of Covid-19 and travel restrictions resulted in some international chefs being unable to return to the resort the task fell upon, Felicia to draw from her experience and training to step up to the occasion.  

To her surprise, guests were not only impressed with the dishes but surpassed their expectations.

She began her culinary journey as a trainee sent by JPSM in 1999, later taking permanent roles of Demi-Chef, Chef de Partie and finally Sous Chef. 

She is now a senior Sous Chef, placing her at the third level in the chef category.

“As one of the head chefs in my department, I maintain a tough and strict approach, often receiving negative responses from those under my supervision. However, I remain undeterred by the challenges as long as I stay focused. Handling human behaviour, particularly of the opposite gender, can be tough. But I am dedicated to carrying out my duties,” she said.

Simultaneously, there had been a significant increase in the number of women holding key positions of importance and appeared as though they are the ‘think tank’ driving the establishment forward.

It became evident that women, when empowered and given the chance to thrive, could excel in various roles and contribute significantly to the success of an organisation and to society, overall.