KUALA LUMPUR: In tandem with this year’s Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebration, Caltex Malaysia commemorated its landmark 90th anniversary in Malaysia.
“Our 90th anniversary milestone is a testament to the trust of the Malaysian public and the unwavering commitment of our employees and retail partners. As we reflect on nine decades of growth, we celebrate the people and pillars of our organisation who have shaped Caltex Malaysia’s journey and we look forward to 'Moving Every Generation' into a brighter future while upholding our Drive Happiness Further tagline,” said Caltex Malaysia country chairman Leong Jee Wong.
Meanwhile, Celine Khong’s bond with Caltex Malaysia is familial. When her parents established Chop Yew Lee Group in 1976, Caltex was their very first supplier.
As the second generation, I am proud to continue the legacy that my parents have built through hard work, integrity, and trust. At the same time, I believe it is essential to balance tradition with innovation,” said Caltex Malaysia general manager of Chop Yew Lee Group and lubricants distributor.
Harchana Narainasamy, who is a station cashier at Caltex Pekan Lama, Sungai Petani, has been part of the Caltex Malaysia family for over eight years.
“I always ensure customers get the help they need, provide clear explanations, and act swiftly whenever issues arise. When customers smile in return, and are satisfied with the service, it gives me such satisfaction,” said Harchana, who is also a mother of two.
Since 2006, Caltex provided an inclusive environment where Hanis Ariffin’s disability was never something to hide.
As a general helper at Caltex Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur, his day-to-day routine revolves around vital maintenance tasks from maintaining cleanliness and safety across the station forecourt and managing the traffic at the station.
Being deaf and mute in a fast-paced station environment filled with bustling customer requests, Hanis initially found it challenging to navigate tasks that relied on spoken communication.
Yet, he was never left to struggle alone – his teammates stepped in without hesitation.
His meaningful and proudest moments are found in simple, powerful human interactions – a driver’s grateful nod, a warm smile, or a signed "thank you" after he lends a helping hand.
“That is the most meaningful and proud feeling for me,” shared Hanis.
When operations supervisor (JV Pasir Gudang terminal) Yang Way Han joined Caltex Malaysia in 1988, it was meant to be a temporary stint.
He had followed in the footsteps of his father, who had driven Caltex fuel trucks from 1964 until 1987.
His journey began at Caltex’s Pulau Indah terminal in Port Klang, where he started as a utility man handling labour-intensive operations.
“It opened my eyes. The work was physically demanding, and it taught me not to take life for granted and to always provide support in whatever way we can,” remarked Yang.
Meanwhile, a 22-year veteran at Caltex Malaysia, workforce safety and health specialist Ts Amanina Mohamad Rozi had started her journey as a young chemical engineering graduate.
She had helped spearhead the “Safety Starts with Me” campaign and strengthened the message of “Stop Work Authority” – empowering every employee and contractor to speak up and pause work if they encounter an unsafe act or condition, with no repercussions for doing the right thing.
“For me, that was a turning point. It reminded me that true safety culture begins when every voice matters. Whether you are a contractor, operator, supervisor, engineer or manager, everyone should have the courage and permission to say, ‘Stop, this does not look safe’,” said Ts Amanina.
Che Din Mohamad, who is a multi-site retail partner in Kelantan, has witnessed significant shifts in customer expectations.
After leaving his government job in 1987, Che Din set out to build his “second home” from the ground up – a Caltex station in a quiet Kelantan town of Pasir Mas.
“There have certainly been times when I felt stuck, especially when facing various operational hurdles such as manpower challenges, the demand of running a station, pressure to meet sales targets, and other factors beyond our control. But what keeps me strong is the steady support of my staff, Caltex officers, and my family,” said Che Din.
