PETALING JAYA: When most boys his age were out on the football field trying to become the next Zinedine Zidane or Ronaldo, Syafiq Anuar was spending his time at home, tinkering with his old bicycle.
It was not that there was something wrong with it, but Syafiq was curious to see if he could make it better, and he had a knack for it, too.
As the years passed, his passion for engineering grew and he moved on from modifying his bicycle to souping up his Perodua Kancil.
He now tinkers with something a lot larger.
Syafiq, 33, is a production support leader at GE Engine Services Malaysia (GEESM), heading a crew of 80 technicians in overhauling aeroplane engines from every corner of the world.
“I’ve always had a passion for engineering and I want to challenge myself and take on tougher challenges. That is why I am in aerospace engineering,” he told FMT.
He joined GEESM 10 years ago as a trainee mechanic.
Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic on the aviation industry, Syafiq believes there are only blue skies ahead for the aerospace industry in Malaysia. Fuelling this belief is his knowledge that Malaysia’s aerospace industry rests on a rich vein of talent, a mature ecosystem and encouraging policies.
The industry, he said, had strong potential for growth as there was a “never-ending demand” for supply chain services.
The local industry has about 21,000 skilled workers, and the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030 aims to cement the country’s status in aerospace by creating 32,000 jobs and generating an annual revenue of RM55.2 billion by the end of the decade.
“The aerospace industry in Malaysia is expanding, and there are more and more supply chain entities being set up across Malaysia by global companies for various services,” he said.
Hairudeen Mat, an engineering manager at Systematic Aviation Services (SAS), outlined how the aerospace industry had grown in size and reach, citing SAS as an example.
SAS expanded into the Indonesian market four years ago and has now set its sights on entering the Thai, Chinese and Cambodian markets.
One of the main players in the local aviation and aerospace industry, SAS provides aircraft maintenance, management, flight operations and aviation training.
Despite the excitement over breaking into new markets, Hairudeen’s passion for engineering means his feet have remained firmly on the ground. “I chose a career in aerospace to achieve my dream, which was working with aeroplanes and helicopters,” he said.
“Everyone can have a career in aerospace as long as he has the right attitude and passion for it. In my opinion, the industry is important as it helps countries expand their business.”
And there is still more in store for the aerospace industry and those aspiring to be a part of it. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad chairman Zambry Abd Kadir said Subang Airport was poised to become Asia Pacific’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul hub.
“Beyond contributing to the economy, creating jobs and drawing the world’s largest aerospace players here, our plans for the regeneration of Subang Airport will ensure that Malaysia continues to build on its strong aerospace foundation,” Zambry said.
“Already many of our homegrown talents have honed their skills right here in Subang and have built successful careers here and around the world.”
He said Malaysia Airports’ regeneration plan would ensure that opportunities like these would continue to be up for grabs for years to come and take the aerospace industry and economy to new heights. - FMT
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