Friendship gives Faizul’s career a boost

FAIZUL , 47, never thought that a friendship he struck up with a businessman some 20 years ago would have had such a great impact on his career.

Now, the businessman – Kudrat Maritime Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Ashruff Hassan – is not only still his good friend but also his mentor and employer.

Through the years, their friendship eventually led Faizul to join Kudrat Maritime where he now holds the post of executive director.

Faizul recalled that he first met Ashruff in 1981 when he (Faizul) was working at Felda Transport Corporation (FTC).

“He had just set up Kudrat Maritime then and I sometimes liaised with him to charter shipping space.

“What struck me the most about him was his relentless effort to market his services and he was true to his every word.

“From there, our client-service provider ties gradually strengthened to social outings such as dinners,” he said.

The two continued to meet even after Faizul had left FTC after working there for 11 years.

“After leaving FTC, I moved on to MISC to set up a container haulage hub in Penang. It was a tough experience for me as I started the operation from scratch.

“But, Ashruff was always there to lend me a helping hand through his counsel,” he said.

Another 11 years passed before Faizul finally decided to join Ashruff at Kudrat Maritime three years ago.

“I was looking for an avenue to expand my scope of work at international level and shipping suits me fine.

“Ashruff opened a window of opportunity for me to look at the outside world when he offered me the position in his company.

“Furthermore, over the years I have closely monitored the growth of Kudrat Maritime from a two-desk company to an international entity with more than 10 local branches that represent over 400 principals worldwide,” he said.

As his employer, Faizul said Ashruff had continued to coach him on the tricks of the trade and guide him in manoeuvring social corporate activities.

“Thus, I am quite of a golfer now and his coaxing has led me to agree to this interview even though I am quite a reserved person.

“It is not easy to maintain the friendship as he is now my boss. But, we have surpassed that stage through open communication, professionalism and trust,” he said.

Faizul said he had travelled more in his three years at Kudrat Maritime compared to the two decades he spent in his previous jobs.

“I mostly visit Asian countries to meet clients and principals.

“Other than golfing, I cannot afford to have any other hobbies as the demanding working hours leave little time for me to be with my wife and children,” said the father of eight – two sons and six daughters.

Although he was born in Negri Sembilan, Faizul spent most of his growing up yearsin Ipoh, Perak, where his policeman father was stationed then.

Nevertheless, the former student of Anderson School, Ipoh, is a true-blue Negri Sembilan boy at heart because he simply loves the state’s trademark delicacies like masak lemak cili api and asam pedas.

“I like these spicy dishes especially if they are prepared by my mother, Latifah Abdul Aziz,” he said.

Faizul, who has a degree in transportation from Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, confessed that his initial ambition was to be an engineer.

”But an advice from a wise old neighbour in the late 1970s made me join the transport industry. The man saw the potential of the commercial transportation industry then. I took his advice and have not looked back since,” he added. – By SHARIDAN M. ALI

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