Featuring the versatile and talented Encik Mohd Faizul bin Sabtu, Storekeeper in Mahkota Hotel Melaka.
Born on 21 May 1973 in Malacca, Encik Mohd Faizul bin Sabtu is the third of 6 siblings. He is attached to Mahkota Hotel Melaka since 1999, as a Housekeeping Supervisor for the first 11 years and Storekeeper in the Finance Department now. As a Housekeeping Supervisor previously, his responsibility was to oversee the cleanliness of the public areas, function rooms and hotel rooms under his charge. He conducted the daily morning briefings, assigned the duties to the 10 to 15 staff under him, provided guidance to ensure that everything was performed according to procedures and carried out spot checks on the work done.
About 8 months ago, Mohd Faizul requested for a transfer to the Finance Department to gain new working experience and job knowledge as a Storekeeper. He has 2 assistants to help him take care of the 5 stores under his charge, namely Food (dried goods and frozen food), General (stationery items, paper, forms etc), Beverage (all types of beverages), Chemical (chemical products eg cleaning liquids and detergents, and plastic bags) and Housekeeping (toiletries). He has to monitor and control the movement of goods in and out according to procedures.
Other than work, Mohd Faizul keeps busy with organizing get-togethers, sports and recreational activities for his co-workers and department. He plays the Kompang (a shallow drum) which he first picked up aged 14 from a Ketua Kompang (or Kompang Head) and is today, a Ketua Kompang himself in his kampong, Kampong Batu Berendam. The Kompang plays an important role in Malay culture and is a must for happy or auspicious occasions such as weddings and celebrations. Mohd Faizul will lead his Kompang group of at least 30 persons to perform at such functions to welcome the VIPs and guests. He also takes part in traditional Malay dances, a passion which he shares with his late aunt who was a veteran performer in traditional Malay dances such as Dondang Sayang, Joget and other dances. From 1995 to 2005, he had served as a teaching staff to the Art and Culture Association in the Melaka Malay Women Teachers College and still teaches on a part-time basis after work. He conducts lessons in the Kompang, traditional Malay dances including the Dikir Barat which is performed sitting cross-legged on a platform involving singing in a group and usually without instrumental accompaniment (sometimes, some simple instruments such as a ‘rebana’ (or tambourine) or gong may be included). | 
Encik Mohd Faizul (right) receiving 10 years service award from Mahkota Hotel Melaka's General Manager, Mr Edward Lau.
Receiving prize for Housekeeping Department at one of the functions held.
Despite his busy schedule combining work and his involvement in the arts, Mohd Faizul enjoys cooking for his wife, Puan Noryati and their 5 children. He likes to cook simple dishes such as Asam Pedas Melaka, Nasi Goreng Kampung and Nasi Goreng Special using his own recipe. He learnt to cook by helping his mother in the kitchen since secondary school. Though he is still unable to cook his mother’s very own special Sambal Goreng Ikan Bilis, he is glad that his wife is able to come up with this dish with the taste very close to his mother’s. |