Rohayu Mydin
Procurement Executive
As Lumut Port celebrates its 30th anniversary, we also honour seven remarkable staff who have each served the organisation for three decades. Their journeys mirror the growth of Lumut Port itself—starting small, facing challenges and steadily growing into something bigger and stronger.
Each story in this series highlights not just years of service, but lives built alongside the port’s development. From the early days of construction to today’s expanding terminals, these individuals remind us that Lumut Port’s strength lies not only in its infrastructure, but in the people who keep it moving.
Figures in mind – When it comes to numbers, Rohayu Mydin is a woman who speaks their language. Calm, meticulous and quietly determined, she has spent three decades ensuring that Lumut Port’s finances, procurement and operations run like clockwork.
She joined Lumut Port on 16 June 1995 as an Account Assistant. “We started in the Ipoh office then. It was our training ground,” she recalls. Her early tasks included managing payable accounts—meticulously recording every sen.
Before Lumut Port, she worked with the Manjung District Council as an assessment assistant on a contract basis. Born in Ijok, Selama, Perak, Rohayu had always been drawn to order and precision, even before she knew accounting would define her career.
In the beginning, Lumut Port was still finding its footing. “There were very few vessels then, and the office was mostly empty. We managed everything ourselves,” she said. One of her earliest and fondest memories is the official opening of Lumut Port on 24 July 1995, officiated by then–Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. “I attended as a guest, and university students were brought in to help. It was such a proud moment seeing the port come alive.”
A Journey of Growth and Recognition – Over the years, Rohayu witnessed Lumut Port transform from a fledgling facility into a recognised global player. One of the proudest moments for her was when Lumut Port received the Bulk Commodities Port/Terminal of the Year 2018 award at the Port Forum in Dubai, UAE. “That award represented more than success. It showed that all the hard work—from management to the ground team—had placed Lumut Port on the world map,” she says with pride.
That transformation did not happen overnight. In the early years, operations relied heavily on manual processes. “We used to stay late at night to finish our work, sometimes even taking it home over the weekend. Everything was done by hand,” she said. “I remember writing cheques manually, and if someone talked to me while I was writing, I’d end up putting their name on the cheque! I’d hide in another room to focus—it’s funny now, but stressful then.”
Today, Lumut Port operates with digital precision. The Finance Department uses Pronto for financial management, E-Sourcing powers the Procurement Unit and the HR Department has adopted Worksy for employee data and performance tracking. “Digitalisation saved us up to 80% in time and energy. It made everything faster, clearer and more transparent,” she explains.
Modernisation has also extended to port operations, with the use of advanced material handlers from Germany, such as the MHL and RHL series, designed for energy efficiency and safety. “The difference is tremendous. We’ve moved from handwritten records to real-time digital management. It’s a proud evolution.”
The Bridge Between Two Worlds – Rohayu’s love for numbers has been constant. “I like accounts. I like seeing things balance. Even if it’s off by one sen, I’ll find it,” she laughs. That dedication paid off when she was later invited to join the Procurement Department. At first, she hesitated, but the move gave her new insight. “The CEO encouraged staff to rotate between departments to gain broader experience. Now, with my background in both finance and procurement, I understand both sides—and that makes me a bridge between the two.”
She takes pride in how Lumut Port supports local businesses and the economy. “Most of our vendors are small local companies. We make sure payments are timely because we know delays can affect their livelihood.”
A Culture of Care and Learning – For Rohayu, Lumut Port is more than a workplace—it’s family. “We’ve built close bonds across all races and departments. When I was unwell, my colleagues brought food, checked on me and even offered to drive me home to my mother’s house. That kind of care is rare,” she said.
She also appreciates how Lumut Port invests in its people. With the company’s support, she earned her Executive Diploma in Management from UTM, taking a distance learning course where classes were held on weekends. “The company gave me study leave. They really value learning.”
Her philosophy in work and life is simple yet powerful:
“Be honest, be sincere and keep learning. Knowledge should be shared, not kept. Real success is when we help others grow.”
Lessons, Challenges and Hopes – Rohayu recalls the challenges of the late 1990s economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic as defining moments that tested everyone’s resilience. “During COVID, working from home was tough—poor internet, no proper workspace, late nights—but we adapted. It showed that we could overcome anything together.”
After 30 years, she remains as curious as ever. “I keep learning new things—even AI. It’s exciting, not scary. Knowledge is fun.”
Looking ahead, her wish is for Lumut Port to remain Malaysia’s Most Effective and Productive Bulk Cargo Terminal, recognised for efficiency and integrity. “We may not be the biggest, but we can be the best. With innovation, teamwork and strong values, Lumut Port will keep growing—and I hope the next generation carries that spirit forward.”
For Rohayu, the numbers tell a story—not just of balance sheets, but of dedication, trust and the power of perseverance.
Her story is a reminder that behind Lumut Port’s growth are people whose dedication and loyalty have shaped its journey. As we celebrate 30 years, we also celebrate the spirit of our long-serving staff—the true anchors of Lumut Port.
Next in this series: another story of a long-serving staff who has walked the journey with Lumut Port.
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