Representing Malaysia Abroad: The Story of Amirul Syahrun Shaping Standards in New Zealand

From the moment he stepped into vocational college, Amirul knew engineering was more than a subject to study, it was the place where his curiosity, confidence and purpose aligned. He found himself drawn to understanding how things work, especially the intricacies of heavy machinery and hydraulic systems and quickly realised that he wasn’t someone who could be satisfied with theory alone. Each repair strengthened his sense of responsibility and each success affirmed that he had chosen the right path, one he was determined to pursue for the long term.

That same determination eventually led Amirul to embrace the opportunity to work with Palfinger in New Zealand. Driven by a deep desire to grow his career internationally without losing the connection to a Malaysian-rooted organisation, Amirul proactively sought opportunities across the Sime network, as it is a Malaysian company with a strong international presence. When the Palfinger New Zealand opportunity came through, he immediately felt a sense of pride. To him, it wasn’t just a job abroad, it was a chance to represent Malaysia on a global stage, something he had always carried in his heart with patriotic pride.

Working in both Australia and New Zealand has been a defining experience for Amirul, one that he describes not just as professional growth but personal transformation. Navigating different work cultures, adapting to higher safety standards and meeting diverse customer expectations challenged him to evolve into a more well-rounded technician and leader.

Today, as a Leading Hand at Palfinger New Zealand, Amirul’s days are a careful balance of technical diligence and leadership responsibilities. He coordinates job scheduling, supports technicians with diagnostics, oversees major repairs and certifications and ensures that safety and quality standards are never compromised. Though he holds a leadership role, he remains deeply hands-on, working on hydraulics, electrical systems, crane servicing and complex troubleshooting while also managing workflow, supporting his team and ensuring customer turnaround commitments are met.

His leadership style is rooted in experience, with nearly ten years managing his own workshop in Malaysia which taught him how to lead people, prioritise workloads, maintain high service quality and understand the business impact behind every repair decision. His foundation is further strengthened by structured training under the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), where he gained valuable insights into workshop efficiency, process improvement and leadership, training that now shapes the way he guides his team and manages operations abroad.

For Amirul, “doing the job right” is more than completing the task. It’s about safety, reliability and taking pride in work that reflects both his own standards and the standards of the company he represents. He believes that delivering properly repaired, fully reliable equipment is a matter of integrity where there are no shortcuts and no compromises. It also means communicating clearly, supporting his teammates and honouring the trust customers place in the brand.

Looking ahead, he wants to be remembered not only as a skilled technician but as someone who raised standards, supported his team and made a positive impact wherever he worked. More importantly, he hopes his story inspires younger technicians to aim higher, to take pride in their craft and to believe that with discipline and passion, they too can bring Malaysian excellence to the world.