About

‘My present position at one of the top listed property developers in Malaysia is the icing on the cake of a career that has spanned more than 20 years’, says Tan Mui Hiang when reflecting on her career path in the legal industry so far. She credits her move – after 15 years in the finance and banking industry – to a senior counsel role in an oil and gas company (one in the midst of negotiating a gas purchase contract with the national state gas corporation, no less) as having had a major positive effect on her understanding of her own abilities going forward: ‘You realise that when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone despite your apprehension, we are capable of far more. It is hard work dealing with a steep learning curve and you cannot do it without learning about the business and operations from your colleagues. Teamwork is key to getting the job done and it takes effort to build the rapport with your new colleagues and build confidence and trust on the job’. When discussing her current role, Mui Hiang explains that it is still provides a challenge despite her many years operating at a high level. ‘No matter the number of years’ experience’, she says, ‘it is always challenging because of the ever-changing dynamics in both the market and work place. Surprises happen and we need to be flexible and adapt to changes’.