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Kota Kinabalu: Since its inception in 2016, Hunai Jaya Resources Sdn Bhd has steadily grown into a formidable player in the local oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) industry.

The Sabah-based company built its legacy by prioritising quality and reliability, ensuring customer satisfaction remains at the forefront of its operations.

This commitment to excellence has paved the way for its inclusion in PETRONAS’ Vendor Development Programme (VDP), a significant milestone for the company.

Gaining recognition and building momentum

Hunai Jaya’s formative years were focused on developing their core competencies and strengthening their operations through workforce upskilling and building strategic partnerships.

“As we gained recognition in the electrical and instrumentation fields, our dedication to sustainability and innovation allowed us to expand our service offerings and customer base,” said Hadida Hadi, the company’s director.

Today, Hunai Jaya has diversified its offerings to include oil and gas engineering maintenance, instrumentation validation and calibration services, civil construction and building maintenance, marine consultancy, grass-cutting services and manpower supply.

Reflecting on its early days, Hadida recalled the initial challenges that the company faced upon its establishment.

Hunai Jaya’s collaboration with PETRONAS began as early as 2016 with its first project at PETRONAS Chemicals Fertiliser Sabah Sdn Bhd facility in Sipitang, where they supplied general workers.

“This marked the beginning of our journey in manpower supply, meeting PETRONAS’ standards. As many experienced professionals sought opportunities abroad, one of our early challenges was sourcing semi-skilled and skilled workers.

“To address this, we expanded recruitment beyond local districts and provided housing facilities to ease workers’ transition. We also prioritised safety training and regulatory compliance, ensuring our workforce was well-prepared to meet industry demands,” Hadida said.

Since then, Hunai Jaya has worked for PETRONAS to construct and maintain petrochemical plants, offshore platforms and pipelines, and offer consultancy, design solutions and feasibility studies for industry projects. Hunai Jaya’s workforce has also expanded to over 200 employees engaged in various projects.

Levelling up

At the Sabah Commemoration Day in Kota Kinabalu earlier this year, PETRONAS welcomed Hunai Jaya as the latest industry player to join its Vendor Development Programme (VDP), marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.

Since 1993, VDP has empowered Bumiputera vendors to build resilience and sustainability, with 21 Sabah vendors appointed to date.

The programme focuses on enhancing technical competence, commercial viability and homegrown innovation while fostering growth and paving the way for international expansion, including potential listing on Bursa Malaysia as a long-term objective.

When asked on the decision to embark on this prestigious programme, Hadida highlighted several key factors that drove Hunai Jaya’s motivation to participate in VDP.

“Apart from providing us access to resources, technology and increased market visibility, VDP also fosters collaboration with industry players, allowing us to forge strategic partnerships while encouraging best practices and innovation.

“This commitment to continuous improvement aligns with our dedication to operational excellence and long-term growth,” said Hadida.

Hunai Jaya hopes to leverage its experience as a VDP vendor, acknowledging that it was initially challenging to meet the programme’s requirements and determine their eligibility.

“Through active internal and external engagements with VDP representatives and our workforce, we managed to overcome these challenges and strengthened our capabilities in positioning Hunai Jaya for long-term growth in the oil and gas sector,” Hadida said.

Commitment to environment and society

As a VDP participant for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder maintenance, Hunai Jaya demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by supporting PETRONAS’ sustainability aspirations, including the Net Zero Carbon Emissions (NZCE) by 2050 agenda.

“We adopt sustainable maintenance practices, prioritising eco-friendly and energy efficient methods to reduce energy consumption. We also support NZCE goals through the maintenance of LPG cylinders, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of LPG use, promoting a lower-carbon energy solution,” Hadida adds.

On the social front, Hunai Jaya remains committed to empower local talent, create job opportunities and enhance local workforce capabilities in LPG cylinder maintenance.

“We aim to prioritise hiring 100 per cent local Sabahans across our operations and support local suppliers by sourcing our materials and services from them, ensuring employment opportunities for the regional workforce and contribute to economic stability in the State.

“Apart from investing in employee upskilling through industry-specific training to enhance their capabilities in the OGSE sector, we also invest in local infrastructure development, where our projects contribute to improvement of roads, utilities and facilities that benefit the community,” Hadida said.

Looking ahead

As a newcomer to the VDP and despite the initial challenges that Hunai Jaya encountered, Hadida is optimistic that the company’s participation in the programme will be invaluable in enhancing operational efficiency, driving innovation and ultimately support industry growth.

“Through VDP, we aim to enhance our capabilities, contribute to industry growth and achieve long-term success. We are committed to making the most of the programme’s opportunities and look forward to advancing our journey with VDP,” Hadida said.

The collaboration between Hunai Jaya and PETRONAS through VDP will support Hunai Jaya’s aspirations to continue becoming a trusted industry partner, reaffirming their commitment to delivering exceptional value and contributing towards the success of their customers and the wider community.

Meanwhile, PETRONAS and the Sabah Government continue to drive significant progress in strengthening the state’s oil and gas industry, fostering economic growth and expanding local vendor participation.

This aligns with PETRONAS’ commitment to support the Sabah Government and industry partners in realising the state’s aspiration of becoming a regional oil and gas hub.