Part I
In the stillness of dawn in Kuala Terengganu decades ago, a young boy walked barefoot to school with a lunchbox filled with dreams. Today, that boy is Dr Saat Shukri Embong, Acting President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MIMOS Berhad, entrusted with transforming Malaysia’s national technology guardian into a sovereign pillar of digital excellence.
Yet, titles and accolades have never defined him.
“I don’t carry this role for power or recognition. I carry it because I remember what it means to be given a chance,” he shares softly.
The Humble Spark
Raised in a modest home, Dr Shukri was no stranger to adversity. His academic journey took him from Sekolah Kebangsaan Tengku Ampuan Mariam to MRSM Kuantan, and later across oceans to the University of Hartford in the U.S. He would go on to earn not only a Master’s in Mechatronics but also a PhD in Electrical Engineering, a journey marked not by privilege but pure perseverance.
“The blessings I’ve received came with responsibility. I owe it to others to build paths, not gates,” he reflects.
Engineering a Comeback
When he took the helm of MIMOS, the organisation was at a fragile crossroads, torn between past legacies and future expectations.
“We weren’t just rebuilding technology. We were rebuilding trust,” he recalls.
His leadership style? Strategic but selfless. Driven, yet down to earth. From consolidating resources to re-aligning with national agendas like the National E&E Roadmap and Digital ID, he moved with quiet precision: never for applause, but always for impact.
A Technocrat with Heart
Dr. Shukri’s fingerprints are on more than patents and systems. They are on people.
“Every solution we build must have a soul. Otherwise, it’s just hardware.”
From championing smart agriculture to open innovation platforms and sustainable manufacturing systems, he’s continuously tied technological excellence to national upliftment.
And even as MIMOS steps into arenas like semiconductors, AI, and cyber-physical systems, his heart remains with the Rakyat.
“Technology must serve the people. Not the other way around.”
The Power of Service
Now overseeing a team of Malaysia’s finest engineers, scientists, and innovators, Dr Shukri leads not from a podium, but from within.
“I still walk the labs. I still ask questions. I still believe that a leader must remain a student,” he says, humbly.
His values are stitched into every initiative: integrity, humility, discipline, and a deep love for Malaysia.
Final Thoughts
When asked what keeps him awake at night, his answer is disarmingly human:
“That I’ve done enough not just for MIMOS, but for my children’s future. For our country’s place in the world.”
Indeed, Dr Saat Shukri Embong is not just leading MIMOS. He is reminding us all that transformation is not a shout. It is a steady hand, a sincere heart, and a life built on service.
