Datuk Nelson Balang Rining
Nelson is the president, executive chairman, and co-founder of Oceancare Corporation Sdn Bhd, a Miri-based oil and gas services company. Together with a few business partners, Nelson established Oceancare in 2001, and under his guidance and drive, the company has become one of largest in East Malaysia, serving prominent corporate clients and government agencies. Nelson’s achievements have all the ingredients of a classic Malaysian rags-to-riches story; one in which determination, hard work and belief in the Almighty combined to guide a person from humble beginnings to outstanding business success. Nelson grew up in Ba’Kelalan, a friendly village in the northern highlands of Sarawak. He attended SRK Ba’Kelalan primary school and then Sekolah Menengah Kerajaanin Lawas town.
He went on to complete a Diploma in Business Studies at MARA Institute of Technology. Attending school in Lawas required him to walk about 150km from Ba’Kelalan to SMK Lawas boarding school. This tough journey took five to six days, along jungle mountain trails and crossing rivers.
After graduation, he joined a financial institution and also took up part-time study to complete a Master in Business Administration from Preston University.
After working in the financial institution for more than 20 years, he resigned, giving management 24 hours’ notice, to join a multi-levelmarketing business where he met his business partners in 2001. Together they developed a business plan and established Oceancare Corporation Sdn Bhd.
From its modest beginnings, the company has grown to provide a wide range of services to the oil and gas industry, such as inspection and corrosion monitoring, mechanical services, maintenance and emergency repairs, logistics services, manpower supply, training and under water inspection, and marine vessels chartering.
Oceancare operates mostly in Sarawak and Sabah, but has started to expand its business to Southeast Asia. The company focuses on providing quality services to customers and ensuring workers’ safety.
Oceancare’s commitment to service and safety means it has managed to achieve eight million man-hours with zero incidents.
Oceancare employs the management by objectives management model to achieve service quality and maintain safety. The whole organisation has specific but achievable objectives, which help drive a culture of collaboration that unites individuals within the company.
The system is result-oriented, but emphasises personal growth and development rather than negative consequences if objectives are not met.
The company’s business strategy is based on opportunity and risk-based thinking, which means its plan is regularly revised. Overall, Oceancare has a long-term 30-year strategy and a short-term plan for five years.
These plans focus on the brand (Oceancare Corporation), new market opportunities, expanding expertise, keeping diversity in its services, and building alliances with similar types of businesses.
Nelson’s entrepreneurship has been widely recognised by industry leaders and the Government. And the company’s ability to deliver quality services is recognised by the range of contracts awarded by global oil and gas companies, such as Petronas, Petronas Carigali, and Shell, and a raft of industry awards.
The company was ranked 71 out 100 by Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (2015),and awarded the Gold Award by Shell Malaysia Safety Award (2013),best safety performance by Petronas Carigali (2017), and 1st prize for HSE Performance by Petronas Carigali (2015 and 2014).
Nelson also has received several awards for his professional achievements, such as the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award (2015); Pingat Jasa Negara (PJN) (2012) by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong Malaysia, which carriers the title ‘Datuk’; Johan Mangku Negara (JMN) (2010) by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong Malaysia; and Pingat Bintang Sarawak (PBS) (2010) by Tuan Yang Terutama Di Pertua Negeri Sarawak.