Dr. Sasikala Sankaran Pillai, affectionately known as Dr. Sasi, is the Chief Internal Auditor at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Over the past six years, she has embraced the region’s cultural diversity and fostered unity among ASEAN members. Despite her impressive role, she describes herself as “just an average Malaysian who looks at life with positivism and adventure.” Her journey from Malaysia to Indonesia reflects her commitment to bridging economic and cultural divides within the ASEAN nations.
A Legacy of Patriotism and Family Influence
Dr. Sasikala’s deep sense of patriotism stems from her family’s history of military service. “My father served in the Malaysian Army, and my younger brother joined the Malaysian Air Force,” she explains. “Even my grandparents served in the police force, and my great-grandfather was taken by the Japanese during the occupation to build the River Kwai bridge.” Growing up surrounded by such dedication instilled in her a strong desire to contribute to her country, ultimately leading her to ASEAN.
Family plays a central role in her life. “We are a very patriotic family,” she says. “I felt I had the honour to serve my country in a unique way, contributing to the region without holding a gun.”
Educational Pursuits and Professional Achievements
Dr. Sasikala’s academic journey is impressive. “I did my Bachelor of Accounting at Universiti Utara Malaysia,” she begins. “Then I did my MBA in the United States, followed by a one-year internship,” she recalls. “I continued working there for about ten years before returning to Malaysia to complete my PhD at Universiti Sains Malaysia.” This solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for her career.
Breaking new ground, she became the first Malaysian and the first woman to hold the Chief Internal Auditor position at ASEAN. “The selection process was rigorous, involving interviews with ten ambassadors from the ASEAN countries,” she shares. “It was a tough journey, but my determination and qualifications helped me secure the role.” Her professional achievements also include coordinating the ASEAN Audit Committee meetings for five years and working with different chairing countries. “I’ve gained a lot of exposure working with different people and cultures, which has been incredibly enriching.”
Challenges and Adaptations
Relocating to Jakarta presented challenges, particularly regarding the cost of living and language barriers. “The cost of living in Jakarta was a major shock. Buying basic household items was unexpectedly expensive,” she explains. “However, my background in accounting helped me budget effectively.”
Language barriers also posed a significant challenge. “I assumed that speaking Bahasa would be enough, but soon realised there are significant differences in everyday words,” she notes. One memorable incident highlighted these challenges: “I asked a Gojek driver to ‘ikut kereta depan,’ expecting him to follow the car in front, but he was confused and panicked because ‘kereta‘ here refers to a train, not a car.” This experience reminded her of the importance of understanding local language nuances.
Her commitment to cultural diplomacy is evident in her efforts to represent Malaysia at every ASEAN audit meeting by wearing traditional attire such as baju kurung or baju kebaya. “This is our national attire, and by wearing it, I make sure to represent my country appropriately,” she explains. Beyond attire, she hosts events such as open houses during Deepavali and Hari Raya, serving traditional Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak, nasi tomato, and mee goreng mamak. “These events educate my staff about Malaysian culture, many of whom have never visited Malaysia,” she says.
Bringing Global Insights Home
Dr. Sasikala eagerly shares her intentions when asked if she plans to return to Malaysia. “I’m looking forward to coming back home and finding a position to pass on my experiences from the U.S. and Jakarta to our young folks in Malaysia,” she says. Her time abroad has enriched her professionally and provided valuable lessons. “Life isn’t going to be easy with digitalisation shaping our future; it’s more competitive than ever,” she adds.
Dr. Sasikala’s professional achievements include completing her PhD while in Indonesia and earning several professional certifications, such as Certified Fraud Examiner. “These accomplishments have prepared me to contribute significantly upon my return to Malaysia,” she asserts. She is passionate about mentoring the younger generation and sharing insights from her diverse experiences to help them navigate a rapidly digitalising world.
Strengthening Cultural Bonds Abroad
As an avid reader of the stories on the MyHeart Portal, Dr. Sasikala is a strong advocate for the initiative. “I think this is excellent because it gets everybody together. It’s networking and shows the initiative of TalentCorp to connect and feature Malaysia and Malaysians,” she says. Maintaining connections with Malaysia is essential, regardless of one’s location worldwide. “This platform helps us stay connected with Malaysia, no matter where we are in the world,” she concludes.
Like many Malaysians abroad, Dr. Sasi deeply values her ties to home and is glad to be part of a global community of Malaysians through MyHeart. If you have yet to join the community, sign up on the MyHeart portal today and start connecting with fellow Malaysians worldwide.
