As the global energy sector evolves, Malaysian companies are emerging as key contributors to the next chapter of oil, gas and renewables. One such player making strategic waves is Asic Offshore & Marine Sdn Bhd, under the leadership of Md Jazli Rahimi, the Group Managing Director of Asic Offshore & Marine Sdn Bhd. In this candid interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, he shares the strategies behind the company’s evolution and his thoughts on leading through change.
Md Jazli Rahimi’s pathway into the oil and gas sector was shaped by his familial roots in the maritime industry. He pursued a diploma in mechanical engineering, which eventually deepened into a focus on marine engineering and naval architecture.
His professional journey began at Keppel Shipyard. There, he gained valuable hands-on experience as a piping and project engineer, playing a key role in the conversion of Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. After five years, his capabilities attracted international attention and he was headhunted by SBM Offshore that posted him to Monaco before relocating him back to Malaysia to establish and lead its engineering office in Kuala Lumpur.
In 2015, Jazli assumed leadership of a company that would soon undergo a major transformation. He rebranded the company as Asic Offshore & Marine Sdn Bhd, with the acronym ASIC standing for Asian Sealand Intelligent Contractors. Under his stewardship, the company evolved from a small team into a robust workforce of over 370 employees.
“Asic today provides a suite of services focused on engineering, maintenance and repair for both onshore and offshore facilities,” explains Jazli. “Its work spans the marine and oil and gas sectors, with a strong focus on corrosion prevention and industrial coatings for processing plants and platforms”. The company’s versatility and ability to handle complex, high-risk projects have earned it a respected reputation across the region.
At the heart of Asic’s success is a deep-rooted belief in investing in people. Jazli has made it a cornerstone of his leadership to focus on nurturing talent rather than relying solely on systems or assets. “Knowledge is not limited by age. Wisdom comes with experience, but knowledge can come from anyone,” he states.
“I believe that learning from real-world examples is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and emulate success”
“While many companies stick to traditional methods of repair and maintenance, Asic actively explores and adopts newer, less conventional solutions,” says Jazli. The company takes calculated risks by testing and validating emerging technologies and products and then offering these enhanced solutions to clients. “We take on products and techniques that haven’t been tested widely. We study them, understand them and then implement them where appropriate,” says Jazli. “We deliver solutions faster than promised.” This willingness has made it a preferred partner for clients seeking reliability and agility.
While oil remains a core part of Asic’s operations, the company is increasingly focusing on natural gas, recognised as a cleaner alternative within the fossil fuel spectrum. “Malaysia’s abundant gas reserves offer strong potential and Asic is positioning itself to be a key player in this space,” says Jazli.
Beyond gas, Asic is laying the groundwork for renewable energy initiatives. “Plans are in place to launch a dedicated subsidiary focusing on green technologies, including carbon capture and gas transformation,” says Jazli. While he acknowledges that the path toward renewables requires time and substantial investment, he sees it as an essential step for long-term sustainability and relevance.
Jazli has led Asic into new territories such as telecommunications and construction. “These industries offer both stability and expansion potential, allowing the company to remain resilient amid cyclical shifts in oil prices and global energy demands,” explasins Jazli.
On the international front, Jazli is preparing to expand into South America, specifically targeting Brazil and Guyana. These markets, he believes, offer the right environment for further expansion and cross-border knowledge exchange.
“I believe that learning from real-world examples is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and emulate success,” declares Jazli.
Jazli offers pragmatic advice to aspiring leaders in the energy sector. He urges young professionals to focus less on immediate financial gain and more on gaining knowledge and hands-on experience. “The early years of a career, I believe, should be spent mastering the fundamentals, understanding field operations and building a strong foundation,” advises Jazli.
“You have to get your hands dirty. Be on the ground, do the work. Don’t chase the money early in your career—chase knowledge. Learn everything you can from your environment. Once you have that, the money will chase you,” he affirms.