From Offshore Engineer to Workshop Owner

An engineer left his offshore oil and gas job to be with family, then rebuilt his life through a successful motorcycle workshop in Dengkil.

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Some career decisions look risky on paper, but make perfect sense in real life. For Luqman Mat, walking away from a comfortable five-figure salary in the oil and gas industry was not about chasing a dream. It was about being present for his family.

At the time, his job required him to work offshore for long stretches. After three years of that routine, the distance became harder to justify. With a wife and four children at home, Luqman chose something many people hesitate to do. He left stability behind in exchange for time with the people who mattered most.

With savings in hand and a long-standing interest in the automotive world, he set up a small workshop in Dengkil, Selangor. It was a bold move, but not an easy one. The business started off well enough, giving him hope that he had made the right decision.

Then things took a turn.

After four years, the workshop was struggling to survive. Looking back, Luqman realised where he went wrong. He focused too much on engine modifications, the kind of work he was passionate about, and ignored the basics that keep a business running. Regular servicing, the bread and butter of most workshops, was missing from his offering.

It is a common trap. Passion can drive you forward, but it can also narrow your view.

Just as he was close to giving up, help came from an unexpected but familiar place. A friend known as Ah Wa stepped in with both advice and support. The message was simple. Focus on general servicing if you want steady income. On top of that, he offered Luqman a RM10,000 loan with no pressure attached.

That moment changed everything.

With a clearer direction and a bit of breathing room financially, Luqman rebuilt the business. This time, he balanced passion with practicality. The results followed.

What started as a single workshop lot has now grown into four. The business includes a dedicated space for high-powered motorcycle repairs and employs a small team to keep things running. It is no longer just surviving. It is expanding.

One thing that sets his workshop apart is the discipline he brought over from his engineering background. Cleanliness, structure, and attention to detail are taken seriously. Tools are kept in order, workspaces are maintained properly, and quality materials are used. It may sound simple, but in a competitive market, consistency like that builds trust.

Today, Luqman has no regrets about leaving his old career behind. The trade-off between a high salary and a more grounded, family-focused life is one he stands by. His wife, who supported him from the start, remains a central part of that journey.

There are plans to grow further, possibly with another outlet in the future. But for now, the focus is steady. Keep the business strong, adapt to the current economy, and continue providing for the family that inspired the leap in the first place.

It is not just a story about quitting a job. It is about recalibrating what success looks like, and having the courage to build it from the ground up.