For many, working abroad is a lifelong dream. For Amirul Syahrun Aminudin, it became a purposeful journey—one driven not only by professional growth, but by a desire to represent Malaysia with pride on the international stage.
This month, we spotlight the Auckland Workshop Lead Hand at Palfinger New Zealand, who was recently crowned Sime Motors New Zealand’s Top Technician for 2025. In his role, Amirul balances hands-on technical excellence with leadership responsibilities, which include coordinating job schedules, supporting technicians with diagnostics, overseeing major repairs and certifications and ensuring safety and quality standards are consistently upheld.
Amirul’s decision to move to Palfinger New Zealand was driven by personal initiative. Drawn to the opportunity of working within a Sime Motors operation abroad, he saw it as a meaningful way to grow internationally while staying connected to a Malaysian-rooted organisation.
“I’ve always had strong patriotic pride in representing Malaysian organisations internationally,” he shared. “So, working with Sime overseas was something I was highly motivated to pursue.”
Before relocating, Amirul spent nearly a decade running his own workshop in Malaysia—an experience that shaped his ability to lead teams, prioritise workloads and understand the business impact behind every repair decision. His foundation was further strengthened through structured training at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), where he developed insights into workshop efficiency, process improvement and leadership. These learnings continue to influence how he manages operations and guides his team today.
For Amirul, doing the job right goes beyond technical completion. It is about safety, reliability and pride in workmanship—standards that reflect both his personal values and the organisation he represents. He believes that delivering fully reliable equipment is a matter of integrity, where there are no shortcuts and no compromises.
Looking ahead, Amirul hopes to be remembered not only as a skilled technician, but as someone whose journey reflects dedication, continuous learning and resilience. He aspires to raise standards, support his team and make a positive contribution wherever he works.
“If my story inspires younger technicians to aim higher and take pride in their craft, that will mean a lot to me,” he said. With discipline and passion, Amirul believes they too can bring Malaysian excellence to the world.
