The Miri Boy Who Found His Way Home After 37 Years

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- The plane hummed steadily as it descended towards Miri. Shalby Reduan gazed out the window at the familiar coastline - oil platforms dotting the horizon, fishing boats rocking gently, and the streets where he had grown up.

After decades of travelling and leading across Malaysia and beyond, he was finally returning home - not as a boy, but as the Senior General Manager of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd - Sarawak Asset.

Born on March 19, 1972, Shalby grew up in the oil town of Miri, though his roots stretched to Kuching as his late father hailed from Kampung Muda Hashim, and his late mother from Kampung Tanjung.

As the youngest child in the family, Shalby was quiet and observant. He had a small circle of friends and often preferred to watch rather than speak.

His father, who was among the few Bumiputera senior staff at an oil and gas company at the time, instilled discipline, professionalism, and integrity. His mother, on the other hand, brought warmth and empathy to the household with her charming personality.

“I like to think I inherited a balance of both. I can be focused, professional and strict, but I can be friendly too. So, my parents were the ones who really shaped me into who I am today,” said Shalby.

That blend of firmness and friendliness would define the leader he was to become.

In his teenage years, education took him far from home. After primary and secondary schooling at St. Joseph’s, he moved to MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Balik Pulau in Penang, a world away from everything familiar.

He soon completed matriculation in Kuching and Kuala Pilah before earning an honours degree in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Despite his dream of following his family into the oil and gas industry, the timing was challenging.

A recession in the 1990s slowed opportunities. So, he began his career at contractor companies serving both oil and gas (O&G) and non-O&G projects in Malaysia and Thailand.

In January 2002, he became an Instrument Engineer at an O&G company but soon realised that his passion extended beyond engineering - he wanted to be in operations, close to people and processes. Nine months later, PETRONAS called.

“That call from PETRONAS wasn't just about a job; it was the beginning of my true career journey,” Shalby reflects.

Leadership in action across continents

What followed was a journey of growth, challenge, and deep responsibility, one that only PETRONAS could have provided.

Shalby spent over 12 years offshore in Sarawak and Sabah as Offshore Installation Manager, learning to balance production, safety, and the wellbeing of his team. Each day offshore taught him that every decision carried weight, and leadership meant more than technical skill.

His career with PETRONAS then carried him across Malaysia and beyond, entrusting him with increasingly complex responsibilities.

In 2019, he led gas production operations in Peninsular Malaysia, navigating the challenges of being far from family during the COVID-19 pandemic. He served in Iraq, heading Garraf Operations under demanding conditions, and later oversaw PETRONAS’ exit from South Sudan in 2024.

“It was not an easy task, though it sounded easy. I had to make sure that the operations still ran smoothly after PETRONAS’ exit. In a way, the transition was very important, and there was a lot of engagement with stakeholders and partners,” he said.

Upon returning to Malaysia in October 2024, he led Upstream Logistics, overseeing marine and aviation operations nationwide. Each role tested him, shaped him, and deepened his understanding of leadership, resilience, and empathy.

Few organisations could match the breadth of experience PETRONAS entrusted to him, from Sarawak's offshore platforms to Iraq's challenging operations to South Sudan's complex exit.

Then came the call that would bring him home.

In June 2025, Shalby stepped in as the Senior General Manager of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd - Sarawak Asset, a position he describes as “deeply personal.” As a Mirian, leading the region that nurtured him is more than a professional milestone - it is a homecoming.

“I’m truly happy to be home. This will be my chance to give back to the place that shaped who I am,” he said.

As the 19th head of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd - Sarawak Asset, Shalby carries decades of legacy alongside the responsibility of guiding thousands of local talents, aware of the high standards set by those before him.

The role demands balancing safety, operational efficiency, cost optimisation, and sustainability. Challenges abound, from managing stakeholder expectations to navigating an evolving energy landscape, yet he sees each as an opportunity to build trust, nurture talent, and leave a lasting impact on the people and region he serves.

Throughout his journey, Shalby has never forgotten the role PETRONAS played in shaping the leader he is today.

While other organisations gave him early experience, it was PETRONAS that gave him purpose and possibility. PETRONAS provided him the opportunity to explore his potential, entrusted him with demanding assignments across continents, and surrounded him with people who kept him grounded.

Every posting, be it offshore, onshore, or abroad, was more than a responsibility. It was a chance to grow in resilience, humility, and leadership, guided by colleagues and leaders who pushed him to rise above his own expectations.

“Everywhere I went in PETRONAS, I was blessed to meet supportive colleagues and leaders who challenged me to be better.

“PETRONAS didn't just develop my technical skills but rather shaped my character, my worldview, and my understanding of what true leadership means. Without these opportunities, I would not be where I am today,” he said.

Despite the demands of his career, Shalby’s three children remain his anchor. Missed birthdays and school events carry weight, but he has learned that balance is not about equal time - it is about full presence.

“I used to think balance meant 50-50, but it’s not realistic. Now, whenever I am with my family, I give them 100 per cent focus. The same goes for work,” he said.

Away from corporate corridors and offshore platforms, he finds joy in simpler pursuits. He enjoys snooker, climbing, and travel, having scaled Mount Kinabalu at 50 and explored Europe, the Americas, East Asia, South Asia, and Australia. He even built a dedicated snooker room at home, a sanctuary for stress relief.

Home at last, leading with heart

Shalby’s leadership reflects his late parents: focused and disciplined like his father, warm and friendly like his mother. Though meticulous and detail-oriented, he balances seriousness with humour, often pulling jokes that draw bursts of laughter - yet speaking of his parents can still move him to tears, exposing the tenderness beneath his firm exterior.

“If my parents could see me now, I’m sure they’ll be very proud of me,” he said while forcing back tears.

Looking ahead, Shalby envisions Sarawak Asset as a benchmark for excellence, delivering efficient, sustainable operations while nurturing local talent. He believes Sarawak can grow further, ensuring both the community and the nation benefit.

“My target is simple: be the best, deliver value, and create sustainable growth,” he said.

This is the story of a reserved boy from Miri who found his way home - not just to the place of his roots, but to the responsibility and privilege of shaping Sarawak’s energy future through PETRONAS.

It is a story of how PETRONAS transforms local talent into global leaders, then brings them home to uplift the communities that first nurture them. It is intertwined with PETRONAS' purpose in powering progress for Sarawak and Malaysia, uplifting communities and cultivating homegrown talents who will guide energy ambitions into the next chapter.

-- BERNAMA

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