As Caltex Malaysia celebrates 90 years in the country, the company is turning the spotlight away from its iconic star logo and towards the people whose dedication has helped shape the brand across generations. Coinciding with this year’s Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations, Caltex Malaysia is recognising six long-serving employees and business partners whose careers and personal journeys reflect the company’s nine-decade presence in Malaysia.
From ensuring the safety of complex fuel operations to keeping service stations running smoothly and building relationships with local communities, their stories provide a glimpse into the people working behind the scenes to keep Malaysians moving. “Our 90th anniversary milestone is a testament to the trust of the Malaysian public and the unwavering commitment of our employees and retail partners,” said Leong Jee Wong, Country Chairman of Caltex Malaysia. “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.”
For Ts. Amanina binti Mohamad Rozi, a 22-year career with Caltex Malaysia has been defined by a commitment to keeping people safe. A Chemical Engineering graduate who entered what has traditionally been a male-dominated operational safety environment, Amanina eventually progressed to become a Workforce Safety and Health Specialist supporting operations across the Asia-Pacific region.
Her responsibilities extend well beyond the service station, involving detailed safety planning for complex operations, contractor management, equipment inspections and risk assessments. Her goal is straightforward: ensuring everyone working on site gets home safely at the end of the day. One of the defining moments of her career came when she recognised that cultural barriers and fear of authority could discourage workers from raising concerns about potential hazards.
She subsequently helped spearhead the “Safety Starts with Me” campaign while reinforcing the principle of “Stop Work Authority”, empowering employees and contractors to pause work whenever they encounter an unsafe condition or act. “For me, that was a turning point. It reminded me that true safety culture begins when every voice matters,” said Amanina. “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’.” For her, the most rewarding part of her career has been seeing frontline workers and young female engineers develop the confidence to lead, speak up and protect those around them.
Yang Way Han’s association with Caltex Malaysia stretches back to 1988, when he initially joined the company intending to stay only temporarily. Following his father’s footsteps – his father drove Caltex fuel trucks from 1964 to 1987 – Yang began his career as a Utility Man at Caltex’s Pulau Indah terminal in Port Klang.
The physically demanding work gave him an early appreciation of the effort required behind the scenes to keep fuel moving across the country. “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,” he recalled.
With the encouragement of his supervisors, Yang progressed through the organisation and eventually became Operations Supervisor for the JV Pasir Gudang terminal in Johor. Today, after 38 years with Caltex Malaysia, he leads a team responsible for ensuring safe and reliable fuel deliveries to more than 80 Caltex stations across southern Peninsular Malaysia. His daily responsibilities include monitoring delivery schedules, tracking shipments and identifying potential delays before they affect service stations.
For Haji Che Din Bin Mohamad, his Caltex journey began after leaving government service in 1987. He embarked on a new chapter by establishing a Caltex station in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, turning what he described as his “second home” into a business built around community relationships.
Nearly four decades later, customer expectations have changed considerably. Drivers now look for more than simply fuel, with convenience, cashless payments, clean facilities and friendly service becoming increasingly important. Yet Che Din believes the fundamentals of building trust remain unchanged. His stations grew largely through word-of-mouth recommendations and personal relationships, supported by employees who remained with him throughout their careers.
That foundation eventually enabled him to expand to two additional Caltex stations. Despite the challenges of manpower shortages, operational pressures and sales targets, Che Din credits his staff, Caltex officers and family for helping him overcome difficult periods. Today, he remains hands-on, walking through the station each morning, checking its facilities, greeting regular customers and encouraging his employees to provide every visitor with a positive experience.
At Caltex Pekan Lama in Sungai Petani, station cashier Harchana a/p Narainasamy has spent more than eight years becoming part of the community she serves. For Harchana, the job goes beyond handling transactions. She values the opportunity to interact with customers, assist them when problems arise and help train new members of the team. Her approach is centred on being warm, polite and sincere, with customer satisfaction providing one of the most rewarding parts of her working day.
“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. The station has also become an important part of her personal life, growing alongside her as she built a family of her own. During demanding periods such as holiday seasons, she draws strength from her close-knit colleagues, with shared meals after long shifts becoming some of her favourite memories.
Since joining Caltex Malaysia in 2006, Md Hanis Bin Ariffin has worked as a General Helper at Caltex Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur. Deaf and mute, Hanis initially faced challenges in a busy service station environment where many tasks depended on verbal communication. However, his colleagues provided the support he needed, helping create an environment where his disability did not prevent him from contributing to the team.
His responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness and safety around the forecourt, managing traffic and ensuring the station is ready to serve customers throughout the day. Although much of his work takes place away from the spotlight, Hanis plays an important role in the everyday customer experience. For him, some of the most meaningful moments come from simple interactions – a grateful nod, a smile or a signed “thank you” from a customer he has helped. “That is the most meaningful and proud feeling for me,” he said.
Caltex Malaysia’s story is also intertwined with the businesses that have grown alongside the brand. Celine Khong, General Manager of Chop Yew Lee Group and a Lubricants Distributor of Caltex Malaysia, represents one such multi-generational partnership. When her parents established Chop Yew Lee Group in 1976, Caltex was the company’s first supplier. Today, Khong leads the business as a second-generation leader, marking 50 years of collaboration with Caltex as a Master Distributor of its lubricants and diesel.
For Khong, maintaining a successful partnership means balancing the principles of the past with the demands of the future. “As the second generation, I am proud to continue the legacy that my parents have built through hard work, integrity, and trust,” she said. “At the same time, I believe it is essential to balance tradition with innovation.” Her working routine includes keeping track of industry developments and market trends, allowing her team to respond to changing customer requirements while continuing to provide tailored solutions. Beyond business, the long relationship has also developed into genuine personal connections between the two organisations, including shared industry events and celebrations.
Together, these six stories illustrate a broader aspect of Caltex Malaysia’s 90-year history – one built not only around fuel, service stations and business operations, but also around people, partnerships and communities. From employees working behind the scenes to frontline station teams and business partners who have carried relationships across generations, each has contributed to the brand’s continuing presence in Malaysia.
As the country celebrates its 69th Merdeka anniversary, Caltex Malaysia is marking its own milestone by reflecting on the people and memories that have accompanied its journey. The company has also released a special video highlighting these stories and the connections formed across generations, reinforcing its “Moving Every Generation” message as it looks towards the future.
