The Malaysian Bar - A Fresh Angle(r): Faizal’s Take on Work, Travel and Life

Home

News

Bar News/Berita Badan Peguam

A Fresh Angle(r): Faizal’s Take on Work, Travel and Life

Tuesday, 09 August 2011 08:53am

Article and photos contributed by Anis Taufik, Editor/Writer, Bar Council

Md Faizal b Mahat, an Administrative Assistant at Bar Council, is easily recognisable. With his friendly smile and laid-back demeanour, he can often be found consulting officers about the details of upcoming events and checking items off his extensive to-do list. A dedicated staff member, he is one of the few individuals who remain at the Bar Council Auditorium in the evening on the day before a function, overseeing the preparation work and ensuring that everything – from the seating arrangement to the wording on the backdrop – is in order for the big day ahead.

When asked what his main responsibilities at Bar Council included, Faizal replied nonchalantly that he was mostly in charge of administrative tasks. He elaborated that his list of duties included filing documents, typing out letters, scanning or photocopying necessary materials for officers, in addition to assisting them with the preparation of agendas for meetings, as well as committee work. He revealed that he enjoyed committee work as it gave him a direct insight into Bar Council’s various activities, thus allowing him to gain a better understanding of the events and happenings that took place within the vibrant organisation. Faizal emphasised that he liked assisting officers organise events like seminars and workshops as the type of work they involved was different – a fresh change of pace compared to his usual desk job. He noted that although organising events involved a lot of hard work and required a meticulous eye for detail, the sense of accomplishment he walked away with after putting in the time and effort to complete a task to the best of his abilities, was priceless.

Faizal went on to say that he also liked the fact that his job, though challenging at times, constantly provided him with opportunities to learn and gain new skills. Commenting that there was never a dull moment working at Bar Council, Faizal reflected that he had developed tremendously as a professional since joining the organisation in August 2008. He highlighted that working with his supervisors, Marianna Laureen Tan and Christina Gomez, was pleasurable as they were supportive and easy to get along with. More importantly, they were both encouraging and receptive towards his feedback during discussions and brainstorming sessions. Thus, he felt valued as a staff member.

When asked how he dealt with difficult situations at work, Faizal chuckled and, with a surprising show of maturity, replied, “Whenever I find myself in stressful or challenging situations, I always take a step back to view the problem objectively. Doing so allows me to get a better perspective on the situation at hand – it lets me view the root of the issue and come up with different approaches on how the problem could be solved”. Faizal then added that although he took pride in being able to work independently, he did not shy away from consulting his supervisors on how to handle certain dilemmas, especially if he was unsure of the way forward, or if it involved matters beyond his sphere of knowledge.

A sporty individual, Faizal enjoys physical activity and playing games with friends in his free time. He listed futsal, badminton and bowling as his favourite sports, before admitting to being an ardent angler as well. With a look of longing in his eyes, Faizal reminisced that he used to go fishing quite often in his hometown in Johore. He explained that he had grown up near the ocean, and he loved going fishing on the pristine islands off the coast of Johore such as Pulau Sibu and beaches like Tanjung Leman. He lamented that it was hard to find the right time (not to mention the place) to go fishing while living in Kuala Lumpur. Thus, it should come as no surprise to learn that Faizal has become an avid computer gamer in his free time! Faizal acknowledged that although playing computer games was a poor substitute for a physically engaging hobby like fishing, he enjoyed it as it helped him unwind after a long day at work.

Although a native Johorean, Faizal has been living in Kuala Lumpur for the past five years. The move to Kuala Lumpur from Johore has affected Faizal in more ways than one – it has roused a hitherto dormant wanderlust in his soul. Faizal mentioned that his favourite local vacation spot was Fraser’s Hill, citing that interesting buildings and landmarks could be found there, and it was “a wonderful place to chill out and reflect over things”. Faizal shared that in 2010, he had travelled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia with some friends from work. He described the trip as immensely fun and enjoyable, while providing an incomparable cross-cultural experience at the same time. Faizal mused aloud, “To put it simply, Phnom Penh was mind-blowing. I was just overwhelmed by how different the culture is (compared to Malaysia) and was touched to see how the people there live. It was a true learning experience that gave me a different perspective on things”.

Taking into consideration the current fasting month of Ramadhan, I enquired of Faizal his plans for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Faizal answered that as the eldest son, he always celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri with his family in Johore. He pointed out that although he went back to Johore quite regularly to visit his elderly mother, returning for Hari Raya Aidilfitri was different as it was one of the few occasions where his entire family would be gathered under one roof. The festive season was also a special occasion as it provided him with the rare chance to catch up with hometown friends, who, like him, were settled in different parts of Malaysia now. As our chat drew to an end, Faizal spoke with a hint of nostalgia of how Hari Raya Aidilfitri was celebrated in his hometown – of the smell of ketupat and rendang wafting from kitchen stoves and the soft glow of oil lamps lit in the evening, amidst the sound of firecrackers set off by merry-makers.

This is the tenth in a series of profiles of Bar Council personnel. Please click here to read the other profiles.

Set as favourite

Email This