by Shameera Nair Lin

Mohd Mazlan Abdullah has worked at ERLMas for a total of *nineteen years*. Initially starting out in the operations department for two years, Mazlan transitioned into station operations and has remained there since, presently a station supervisor. 

His job is exactly what it says on the label: Mazlan ensures the steady flow of train services and operations, while maintaining station stalls. It then occurred to me that to consistently adhere to such a routine for nearly two decades requires an immense amount of discipline. What keeps him going? 

‘I enjoy what we do daily at the station,’ he says, with a hint of a chuckle. The station runs at all hours of the day, which necessitates close teamwork and trust. As such, he sees his colleagues as very close friends, as forging such a bond is a ‘definite’ part of the job: ‘we know each other and maintain contact’. It is this team spirit that Mazlan holds on to in his professional life, cherishing every moment of it.

Though in a managerial capacity, he has had numerous opportunities to work in other contexts. He recounts, with fervent gratitude, the times when he was seconded — alongside his team — to run a train service in Saudi Arabia. Adaptability was key to his success, where he felt a profound value in learning to understand the cultures, habits and ways of working in other countries. This, he believes, ‘is the way to achieve good results.’ Such experiences find their way home, within him, where he continues to grow and implement them in his day-to-day efforts. 

In spite of an abundance of wonderful work experiences, one stands out: ‘when we were doing the F1 Sepang event, we got a special team to run the project.’ Referring to the Malaysian Grand Prix — which ran until 2017 — Mazlan explains that he learnt a great deal from the sheer mix of cultures having to work alongside one another, on a major international event. It was no easy feat, and yet, immensely rewarding in a way that will stay with him for life. 

Given the hectic nature of his job, what does he do to unwind? ‘Well, dulu-dulu, I played badminton. Now I stay home and spend time with my family. He sees the current situation of staying at home as a good opportunity to bond with his children, his bedrock. Mazlan has, throughout his career, uncovered fulfilment in the balance between work and home, a trait that will continue to serve him well.