by The Honourable Tan Sri Professor Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas

Now.. this is where the coffee is most valuable

At the Oil and Gas Asia 2024 (OGA) event at KLCC, I met with my university friend Afifi. Freshly graduated and had a very much  about martial arts 🥋, Afifi and I were brought together by our mutual friend Yazid—my "crime partner" back in Japan. As we navigated the sea of industry professionals and cutting-edge exhibits, Afifi began sharing about an inspirational figure he'd recently encountered: Rahim Sabri.

Afifi had come to know Rahim through his sister's job at Kido Care—a nanny service where she takes care of Rahim's children. In the morning, as I met Afifi during my lunch break from work— the way Afifi spoke about Rahim made it clear he held him in high esteem; Rahim sounded like a remarkable entrepreneur. And then, as if scripted by fate, we suddenly bumped into none other than Rahim Sabri himself amidst the crowd.

At that exact moment, I told Afifi, "Call him over—let's set up a coffee session ☕." I couldn't let this meeting slip away, especially with someone brimming with wisdom to share. It felt like a sign, almost as if the universe was aligning our paths. So, we arranged a casual get-together, and Alhamdulillah, the session turned out to be incredibly insightful. Rahim shared his experiences, perspectives, and entrepreneurial wisdom that truly made me think. (key insights are shared below)

But the surprises didn't end there. As we delved deeper into conversation, I discovered that Rahim is actually the brother of my university friend, Qayyum Sabri. What a small world. Masha Allah.

Key Insights from Rahim's Coffee Session 📚

1. Global Trend Adoption 

   • Stay Ahead of the Curve: Rahim emphasized the importance of adopting trends from developed countries early, allowing businesses to be prepared and capitalize when these trends hit developing markets like Malaysia.

   • Real-Life Success: He shared how he adopted graphic printing technology from China for his T-shirt business 👕 before it became popular in Malaysia, profiting significantly as the trend caught on.

   • The Takeaway: Being aligned and aware of global shifts enables you to ride the wave effectively 🌊, rather than starting from scratch when the trend arrives.

2. Global Competition 

   • Think Beyond Borders: Rahim underscored that businesses must be competitive globally, not just locally.

   • A Global Example: He mentioned a businessman working across Italy 🇮🇹, a European-based company, and an office in Qatar 🇶🇦, highlighting today's interconnected business landscape.

   • Personal Connection: This point resonated with me, considering my own experience working on a Qatar project at Ranhill Worley in Malaysia.

3. Career Advancement 🚀

   • Two Pathways to Grow:

     • Pursue Higher Education: Rahim's journey took him to the University of Glasgow in Scotland, providing him with a broad, international perspective.

     • Gain Professional Certifications: Advancing within a technical field through professional engineering credentials can accelerate career growth.

   • Choose Your Path: Both routes offer valuable opportunities depending on your career goals.

4. Job Selection Advice 

   • Don't Overthink It: Rahim advised against overanalyzing career choices, especially for recent graduates.

   • Follow Your Interests: He suggested picking a role that feels right, particularly in your field of passion, to gain relevant experience without getting bogged down in indecision.

   • Take Action: The key is to start somewhere—momentum builds with movement.

5. Oil and Gas Asia 2024 Industry Trends

   • Shift to Asset Management: At the OGA event, Rahim pointed out that this year's focus was on asset management, emphasizing the lifespan and maintenance of equipment.

   • Technology Maturity: With technologies like valves reaching peak development, the industry is shifting toward effective management of existing assets.

   • Resonating Insights: This trend strongly resonated with my role in the industry, highlighting the importance of staying updated.

Reflecting on that day, the blend of chance encounters, enlightening conversations, and unexpected connections felt like more than mere coincidence—it was as if the universe was weaving a tapestry for me to unravel. It left me inspired and eager to see where these newfound insights would lead me next.