Sky’s the limit: Kayan engineer’s odyssey from Uma Batang to PETRONAS

Lawai Jok.

By Ling Hui

“Lawai Jok, tell us, what’s your ambition? What would you like to be when you grow up?” asked Mr Lee, a teacher at SMK Long Lama.

Without hesitation, Lawai responded from his seat, “I want to be an engineer!”, prompting loud cheers from his friends seated at the back of the class.

Impressed by Lawai’s swift reply, Mr Lee dug deeper. “What kind of engineer do you want to be? There are several specialisations in the field of engineering, such as mechanical, civil, and electrical, among others.”

In a heartbeat, Lawai said, “I want to be a mechanical engineer!”

It was right at that moment, in front of the entire class, that Lawai set his mind on achieving that goal.

Coolest dad in town

Being the younger son in the family with minimal inheritance, Lawai’s father, Jok Wan, had to build his life from scratch as he had to navigate financial challenges in his life journey.

Despite that, Jok never once let his wife and ten children starve or be deprived of education.

In Uma Bawang, Baram, where rice was the staple crop, Jok practised a simple yet profound philosophy—they always ensured that there would be enough rice until the end of the year. The surplus became a lifeline, not only for his family’s sustenance but also for relatives struggling to make ends meet.

Jok was also a rubber farm smallholder. This provided a vital source of income for his children to pursue education. Working at the farm, which was the largest in the village, became a norm for Jok’s children during school holidays.

Even though Jok lacked formal education, he possessed a natural leadership quality that resonated with the community. As part of the village development and security committee (JKKK), he was a trusted advisor sought after by kin and villagers alike. His influence extended beyond familial ties, positively impacting not only just his children but the entire community.

Jok Wan’s legacy wasn’t just about rubber and rice—it was about living life to the best of your ability and not giving up easily—the advice which motivated and inspired Lawai as he was growing up.

His mother, Lahong Anyi, shouldered the motherly role to complement her partner, who was a very strict father.

She comforts the family, gives adequate support, and motivates her children with care and love. The pair’s personality differences complemented each other and provided a balance in the household where they grew up.

Sawdust over fish

Born in 1971, Lawai is Jok’s eighth child out of four daughters and six sons.

As a 15-year-old, Lawai would often help his parents with tapping rubber during the school holidays. However, fueled by his excitement to gain new experiences, he made the bold decision to leave the comfort of his home to apply for a helper job at a sawmill in Tatau, which was recommended by one of his brothers.

The journey from Baram to Tatau was tough back in those days and may even take as long as two days. As transportation options were scarce back then, he had to take an express boat from his longhouse to Miri, stay overnight at a relative’s house, and then reach his destination by bus. However, this little setback was not enough to extinguish his fiery determination.

Having worked with foreign workers at the sawmill, the experience was more than just a job to him; it was a journey into the lives of fellow workers who shared food and lodging with him, as well as teaching him the tricks in cutting logs efficiently and safely.

Less than thrilled at the idea of their boy working at a sawmill far away in Tatau, his parents sent one of his brothers to his workplace to persuade Lawai to return home, but he stood his ground and soldiered on as he enjoyed making friends and learning new things.

Lawai’s little adventure in between schools did not stop there. After completing his secondary school education, he also applied to work as a mechanic at a logging camp in Tatau, at one of his brother’s workplaces. He gained some useful working experience by completing chores such as changing lorry tyres, refilling fluids, and accompanying his brother in his logging truck.

Lawai acknowledged that these early chapters of his life moulded his character and mindset at a young age. His journey from sawmills to logging camps instilled a sense of independence in him and an appreciation for the hard work of the unsung heroes—such as the technicians and contractors in the oil and gas sector. This eye-opening experience has helped him make better decisions and set more realistic targets as a leader.

Chip off the Jok block

Lawai breezed through his primary years at SK Uma Bawang and his secondary years at SMK Long Lama. He then went to SMV (T) Bintulu, where he learnt the basics of mechanical engineering.

Fuelled by strong family support, Lawai decided to take his dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer to the next level and enrolled himself in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor. Despite financial constraints, his family rallied behind him, each chipping in whenever they could to ensure Lawai’s smooth journey through university life.

His life as a student also taught him to be independent, responsible, and sociable with friends from diverse backgrounds and races. His sociable trait was a plus point when managing culturally diverse peers in the working environment.

Upon completing his studies, Lawai returned to Sarawak despite the ubiquitous lucrative job opportunities in the booming electronic industry in Peninsular Malaysia. He stayed true to his initial goal of venturing into the oil and gas sector; and started his first stint with a local contractor in Bintulu before moving on to Tractors Malaysia.

During his time with Tractors Malaysia, he was involved in the early stages of the Bakun Dam project, in which the company commissioned heavy machinery such as generators for construction sites. Real-world experiences moulded Lawai as an individual, teaching him not just the technical intricacies but also the invaluable skills in customer service, communication, and teamwork.

Lawai began his career in PETRONAS in 1996 at PETRONAS Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd (PC Methanol) in Labuan. Starting as a System Planning Engineer, he steadily climbed the ranks to become the Mechanical Section Manager within 13 years.

Under the guidance of his first boss, Lawai learned the ropes and honed his leadership skills, transitioning from a technical role to managing teams and operations.

He was then promoted to be the Maintenance Department Senior Manager at the Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) Plant in Kerteh, Terengganu. In 2017, his leadership journey reached new heights when he later assumed the role of CEO of PC Methanol in Labuan.

It was another ten years in Labuan; Lawai returned home in 2023 after being away from his hometown for 27 years and assumed the role of Managing Director of PETRONAS Asean Bintulu Fertilizer (ABF) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s leading integrated chemical producer PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad.

As he reflected on his experiences, Lawai said the guidance of his late father always stayed with him as he made decisions and when faced with challenges—the perseverance, dedication, discipline, and modesty that Jok demonstrated to Lawai and his siblings through his actions, are the values that he holds true until today.

Lawai at his office in ABF Bintulu.

Liverpool fan, drama enthusiast 

Being an avid sports enthusiast in his younger days, soccer was one of his favourite sports, where he had represented PC Methanol in many tournaments. A die-hard Liverpool fan, Lawai brought his soccer prowess to the field, but as he ages in time, he has now swapped his cleats with clubs—golf clubs, to be precise.

Today, 52-year-old Lawai turns to Netflix for entertainment. Movie nights are his sanctuary, where he enjoys action movies and comedies.

Lawai also enjoys reading management books, biographies of leaders, and tales of sports legends. Stories of icons such as Lionel Messi and Maria Sharapova inspire him, serving as a reminder that success does not come easy; it usually comes with sacrifices and unearthly determination.

“Sometimes, when you look at these sports figures, you think they have it easy. But if you read their biographies, you can see that there were a lot of sacrifices made, and because of that, they are where they are today,” said Lawai.

Lawai is the Managing Director of PETRONAS Asean Bintulu Fertilizer (ABF) Sdn Bhd.

Away from screens and books, he has a penchant for packing his bags and hitting the road with his wife and children. Family travels are one of his ways to reward them for their sacrifices, especially to compensate for the time spent apart during his career pursuits.

In 2002, Lawai married Dolena Urai Engan, a Kenyah lady from Long Banyok.

Their connection goes way back to their high school days at SMK Long Lama, and fate brought them together again during Lawai’s industrial training in Kuching. Their love story unfolded, and they were blessed with two boys – the elder one is currently in his first year at Curtin University and the younger one is in Form 2.

Having a strong support system is important for Lawai due to the nature of his profession; Dolena made a selfless decision to take a step back from the working world and embrace the role of a full-time housewife as she followed him to Kerteh. This allowed Lawai to focus on his career, and to this day, he continues to be grateful and appreciative of his partner’s sacrifices.

“Sometimes, I had to work long hours in the plant, and she helped to take care of things at home. I think family support is very, very important, and I’m blessed with a very understanding wife. I truly appreciate everything she has done for the family,” he said appreciatively.

Look up, the sky’s the limit

For Lawai, he can’t stress enough the transformative power of education and determination—advice that he would like to convey to the Kayan community.

Drawing parallels between successful leaders from the Orang Ulu community, namely Dato Sri Idris Jala, Dato’ Isaac Lugun, Datuk Gerawat Gala, and his own cousin Mr Anyi Ngau, he urges the younger generation today to embrace educational opportunities.

Believing that education is the key to progress, he points to global examples where nations like China and Japan prioritise education, contributing to the advancement of their communities.

“First things first: when we can do our best in our education, we must try our best. Some people are also successful in their businesses without going to universities and so on, but what’s important is to have the determination to reach our goals regardless of what we do.

“Even in my own family, not everyone successfully graduated school, but they all have successes in their own ways. You must have the determination to do the right thing and elevate your own life,” said Lawai.

Lawai believes that the sky is the only limit.

He also passionately advocates for seizing opportunities within PETRONAS, pointing out the organisation’s supportive ecosystem. He encourages technicians and employees to invest time and energy in their career trajectories while assuring them of fair opportunities. The system and his bosses are very supportive of his career growth. The support from his friends and staff also gives him the meaning to continue. Above all, he is grateful to God as he has continued to receive his blessings and get to where he is today.

“That’s why I keep reminding them: Let’s see things on a positive note and rise to the occasion. Take the chance to develop yourself. Even for our technicians who are willing to do better, we have a system to promote them.

“There is always fair opportunity for everybody. It only depends on whether you want to invest time and energy in charting your own career. The sky is the limit for every individual.”

In essence, it’s a call not just to the Orang Ulu community but to every Sarawakian: Embrace the chances and invest in yourself, as determination and hard work are all that matters to reach success. — DayakDaily