28 Years, Two Dates, One Journey

Today, 31 July 2026, is my last working day at PETRONAS.

I joined on 1 August 1998.

Two dates, separated by 28 years.

I still remember walking through the main entrance of the PETRONAS Twin Towers on my first day. The building had just been recognised as the tallest in the world, and standing at the foot of it as a young Malaysian engineer, I felt something closer to awe than confidence.

I did not yet understand what the towers were built on. That took the next 28 years to learn.

On paper, it is a period of service. In reality, it has been an education in operations, business, leadership, systems and, most importantly, people.

The roles changed. The responsibilities grew. The challenges became more complex.

But one lesson remained constant.

Nothing meaningful is delivered by one person alone.

Behind every safe operation, commercial agreement, strategic decision and milestone is a wider system of people. Some lead from the front. Some work quietly behind the scenes. Some challenge our thinking. Others correct us when we get things wrong.

Every part matters.

Over these 28 years, I had the privilege of learning from many leaders, mentors, colleagues and team members. Some placed their trust in me. Some pushed me beyond what I thought I could do. Some offered honest feedback when I needed it most.

To all of you, thank you.

If my words, decisions or actions ever disappointed or hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise. Experience does not mean having all the answers. If anything, experience makes us more conscious of complexity, consequences and our own limitations.

PETRONAS taught me to look beyond the visible outcome.

A reliable system requires discipline behind it. A sound commercial arrangement requires operational reality beneath it. A strong institution requires capable people, clear purpose and shared responsibility.

That lesson will remain with me.

I leave with gratitude for the opportunities, the difficult assignments, the friendships, the mistakes and the lessons. Each played a part in shaping how I think and who I am today.

Tomorrow, my role will change.

But the responsibility to keep learning, to share what I have learnt and to remain useful does not end with a job title.

Knowledge only creates value when it is passed on. Experience only matters when it helps others navigate the road ahead.

One chapter ends today.

The friendships continue. The learning continues. The responsibility to contribute continues.

Twenty-eight years can be measured in time.

Its real value is measured by the people who shaped us and the value we continue to create for others.

What have the people around you taught you that no job title ever could?

31 July 2026

Mohd Effandi