This part of my life is called ACHIEVEMENT. Let e bring you back 34 years back to a small city called Kuching - literally means Cat, situated in the western tip of Sarawak. The story begins:
1974 – My respectful father Hj Joll Drahman passed away at the age of 56 when I was 9 years old.
1976 – About 2 years later my beloved mother Zaiton Sebol joined my late father, departed this transitory world at her age of 38 when I was in Primary 6, left me and my step brother alone. The day when I felt really distraught, was the worst horrible day in my entire life – I lost someone that I really love - someone who will never and cannot be replaced by anyone else. Cried the whole day long and asked from the Al-Mighty Allah swt who will take care of us?!. 7 Days later, my adopted family flown from Miri invited us staying with them.
1977 – New Life with adopted family. I really missed mom so much.
1978 – Not easy life though and started to worry about school, examination fees, etc.
1979 – Lower secondary. Among the top 3 Malays passed the Lower Certificate of Education (LCE) examination and subsequently, selected to Science stream in the same school.
1980 – Met new friends and teachers. It was my new world and enjoyed the class very much. Family life improved.
1981 – Proud for being top 10 (only 2 Malays) students passed Malaysian Certificate of Education (MCE). I was offered by ITM, USM and UTM to pursue my studies in their universities. Despite my poverty and without any counseling & guidance, I pursued my Petroleum & Gas engineering at UTM.
1982 – Excited and felt more financially secured when successfully passed through Sarawak Shell Bhd. scholarship scheme.
1986 – Graduated from UTM. Mixed feeling – how I wished my parents were around during the auspicious occasion. I went to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh & Thailand enhancing my inner strength and faith. I hope and pray my sacrifice and effort will be accepted by Allah swt. Aamiin. After completed the rounds I returned back to Malaysia during the economic recession. Couldn’t find any jobs!1987 – Went to several interviews with PETRONAS, Shell, Schlumberger, etc. No Job! Hence, I turned to burgers & sweet-corn entrepreneur, street-freelance portrait artist, etc.
1987 – First working experience: Project Engineer with Samabakti Engineering. Learnt and gained priceless experience/knowledge from the CEO, En Norudin Tuah. I was an inexperience 22 years old fresh graduate being entrusted to lead about 19 experienced workforces was really a tough job. Made a lot of mistakes, wrestled with sub-contractors and get screwed by the client. Ultimately, I was bombarded by my Project Director. But, that was how I discovered my strength and potential as a team leader. Remember when one nice day, En Norudin brought me to his office and lectured me on what is business. Among others, he said; “to be successful in business you must have a good discipline, perseverance, endurance and know the game. And, to open a business, capital is secondary and what primary is networking and understanding others”. I will remember this line forever. Academically, En Norudin was just an average person, but his attitude toward success, discipline, honest and visionary-farsighted has made him a successful leader. However, I was only 6 months with the company.
1988 – Sarawak Shell called to join their Sabah team as a Junior Geologist. Interesting job but somehow I didn’t like the routine so much. Employed by Shell during the downturn was considered very lucky then. Experienced and learnt new different set of things: Information Technology; presentation; professionals & hard working group of people – working life within Shell environment was very tough; budget and all administrative matters
1989 – Received telegram from PETRONAS in February to report duty at ABF, Bintulu. Good offer and package! I was very indecisive though. Hence, I consulted family and friends for decision. Finally, albeit permanent package in Sarawak Shell and family pressure - pulling factor, decided to join PETRONAS – it is time to be more independent and adventures. With mixed feeling I resumed duty on the 14th of April at ABF. Excited – met old and new friends. My first assignment was to Urea plant Operations team. Learnt from ‘point zero’, independently without proper coach and guidance. Life was very interesting though.
1990 – Late December was a very memorable moment in my life: Saiful & Narimah was solemnized as husband & wife – ended my naughty single status title.
1991 – Mid October, our first baby joint our family poured us with joy. On the other hand, he brought us new responsibilities and challenges. Hence, the second son joint us right on the same Mid October 1992.
1994 – The first ever ABF QCC – the Q7 won the regional QCC convention organized by NPC. QCC was one of the main activities that ABF initiated as part of teambuilding strategy since they embarked with TQM. I was one of the facilitator entrusted and managed to bring up one of the Operations shift crew to be at par with other veterans then.
1995 – The pH7 marked another milestone when they won gold in the National QCC convention. The team really deserved the gold: they were very dedicated, creative, committed and cooperative-has high team spirit. In one way or another, the pH7 has made me realized my potential and leadership capabilities. Thank you pH7…!!
1996 – The pH7 was invited to present their project in the International QCC convention in Japan. On the same year, I was identified and selected to Supervisory Development Program organized by ABF in collaboration with NEBSM.1997 – Completed SDP and awarded Top Student & Best project. I made another move in my career path: appointed and promoted to Shift Superintendent after completing 6 months training at Ammonia and Utilities plants. Bigger roles and responsibilities which challenged my leadership capabilities - gained and learnt more experience and knowledge/skills. I took it as recognition! Another exciting aspect which has enhanced my leadership was when group of us graduated as facilitator of Teambuilding – certified to organize and facilitate teambuilding within ABF. Successfully conducted the first ever teambuilding series for all ABF staff.
1998 – A little bit disappointed when the Management decided to delimit Shift Superintendent Position and move 4 of us on rotational basis to HR, Logistic, so on and so forth. The GM, En Kamaruddin Zakaria and the HR Manager then, managed to convince us. I was transferred to HR – Personnel and Employee Relations Section. Again, have to start from scratch to pick-up all the HR subject. This was another round of my learning curve – thanks to the Management of ABF for giving me the opportunity. Indeed, the experience that I gained was an eye opener and really enhanced my paradigm. Somehow or rather, after a while, I felt in love with HR…… it was love at first sight! I had a good coach (I mean Manager), Tn Hj Shafiee and obviously the whole HR team who had given me full cooperation and guidance without any hesitant, etc. One of the challenged I took from him was the new approach and concept of ABF Family Day – first of its kind in Bintulu then. On the same year, I was selected as KL Commonwealth game 1998 volunteers by the Government of Malaysia and was appointed as a Supervisor to a small team of volunteers for the hockey stadium. Honestly, hockey was never my game though albeit my appeal to other areas likes athletics or gymnasium.
1999 – Early of the year, with the new Management, we were called back to the plant. As for me, the call was a very severe disappointment in my career path whilst in ABF. Our house was intruded and some jewelry was stolen. Introduced and initiated ABF Neighborhood Watch (ANW) blessed by the ABF Management and successfully brought back the culprit to the police custody a month after that.
1999 – 3rd quarter of the year, another ‘bull’s run’ phase when the Management offered me to fill up HR Planning section. It was another round of learning curve and though life – new subject and set of people. However, I was very passionate with the tasks and ultimately motivated.
2000 – Felt recognized when the Management entrusted me to cover HRM Manager’s position when the incumbent resigned. Despite my ‘handicap’, took it as a challenge and tried my very best.
Cycling is always my hobby: Bought new bike GT 3000. Formed ABF Cycling Club (ACC) and organized ‘a lifetime cycling experience’ to Miri – 230 km ride through 194 hills within 13:36 hours with 2 main stop. Exhausted, thrilled but cooled off when we were welcomed by VIPs in Miri.
2001 – The most delighted and happiest year of my personal life and working world!: 2 weeks after we welcomed our fifth child – a cute little baby girl (the only girl out of 5), Lembaga Tabung Hajji called and invited me to perform Hajj – a journey of a lifetime. Whilst in Mecca, received news that the Management had agreed and decided to promote and transfer to lead a Quality department at PETRONAS Ammonia SB (PASB). Alhamdullillah, Zillion of thanks to the Al-Mighty Allah swt. Once again, relearned and learning process. However, the game was entirely different: new young generation, different culture, new environment and new challenges. I must record my sincere appreciation and thanks to En Anuar Ismail who was the CEO and En Adnan Zainal Abidin, the GM then, who was eventually, took over the button from En Anuar Ismail. Both of them, a great coach, inspired us with a different dimension on business strategy and philosophy. Learnt a great deal from them on the art of negotiation.
2003 – Managed to convince the Management to participate in Prime Minister Quality Award (PMQA) and PASB was short listed as the top 10 finalist.
2004 – PASB participated for the second time in the PMQA but, we were very frustrated because PASB did not make it to the top. However, felt relieved when PASB was announced the winner for NPC Productivity Award.
2006 – At last, PASB made it to the top! However, the announcement was made when I was no more with the company. Very proud though.
2006 – Another positive spike! Living abroad and working in a join venture environment is ultimately not an easy life situation. Working abroad has always been my dream and with mainly two things in mind; new challenges and exposure to my family, I was very delighted and accepted the offer – leading A Quality team and looking after HR system at Egyptian LNG. The move was indeed a big jump of my leadership journey. Thank you to my family, PETRONAS and most of all to the Almighty Allah swt.
Spring 2007 we spent rejuvenating our physical and spiritually at Abu Qir Date orchard which is 30 minutes away Kafr Abdou. There was a small humble restaurant serving the local delicacies and the famous Egyptian tea. The owner was so kind and we were kind of fortunate and honored when he invited us to witness the pollination process of the Dates’ flowers.
