When you speak to Dr. Hassan AlSalamat, his calm demeanor carries the quiet confidence of a man who has always known his path. Born and raised in Syria, Dr. Hassan’s fascination with engineering began long before he ever set foot in a classroom. As a child, he was endlessly curious about how things were designed and built  from simple household items to complex structures. “I’ve always wanted to understand how things work,” he recalls with a smile. “Even as a kid, I was taking things apart just to see what was inside.”

Though his father once hoped he would pursue a career in medicine, Dr. Hassan’s heart was firmly set on engineering. “Medicine never spoke to me,” he admits. “My passion was always in understanding design, structure, and systems. That's where I felt most alive.” That decision, made at a young age, set him on a path that would eventually take him across continents from Syria to Germany, where he pursued his studies at one of the country’s renowned universities, and later to Malaysia, where he now leads one of the nation’s most important rail maintenance companies.

Moving to Malaysia in 2024, Dr. Hassan brought with him not just years of international engineering experience but also a fresh perspective on innovation and leadership. Today, as the CEO of ERL Maintenance Support Sdn Bhd (E-MAS)  the company behind the smooth operation of the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit he stands at the intersection of technology, people, and purpose.

Building Malaysia’s Rail Future

E-MAS’s achievements extend far beyond Malaysia’s borders. The company has played a vital role in international projects such as Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport Link and has been seconded annually to support operations for the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro in Makkah during Hajj  a testament to its technical expertise and global reputation.

When asked about E-MAS’s strategy for growth, Dr. Hassan emphasizes one word above all: teamwork. “The key to expanding internationally begins with building a strong and capable team,” he says. “You always need a clear Plan A and a team willing to give their best to achieve it. But just as important is having Plan B and Plan C. Things don’t always go perfectly, so adaptability is what keeps progress alive.”

He believes that Malaysia’s rail sector has enormous untapped potential. “This is a country with incredible talent and opportunity,” he explains. “The challenge is to keep developing the ecosystem  to make Malaysia not just a user of rail technology, but a contributor to the global rail industry.”

Balancing Innovation and Reliability

Under his leadership, E-MAS continues to embrace innovation without compromising tradition. For Dr. Hassan, operational reliability and safety remain the company’s foundation, but he also recognizes that the future of rail lies in digital transformation. “We’re focusing on innovative  AI, predictive analytics, and digital twin technologies but these systems are only as strong as the people who manage them,” he notes. “That’s why we invest heavily in training and upskilling our workforce. Technology evolves fast, and our people must evolve with it.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Hassan envisions a future where data-driven operations and artificial intelligence become standard in Malaysia’s rail maintenance ecosystem. “In five to ten years, I see E-MAS operating with full digital integration  using AI to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reliability,” he says. “Our goal is to set new benchmarks for innovation and operational excellence in the region.”

For Dr. Hassan, leadership is not about hierarchy  it’s about involvement and integrity. “A good leader builds a good team, and a good team makes a great leader,” he says thoughtfully. He believes in being hands-on, working side by side with his staff to understand challenges and celebrate achievements. “If there’s disagreement, it’s the leader’s job to make the final decision  with clarity and confidence. Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about responsibility.”