Mum of neurodivergent kids leads with heart at home, work

New Straits Times

11-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: On any given day, Nurul Akmar Omar wears a dozen hats — a nurturer, teacher, problem-solver, cheerleader, and sometimes, a silent hero.
By day, the 55-year-old is a General Counsel (Legal Upstream Malaysia) for PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, where she leads the legal strategy for the company's domestic upstream business — a portfolio that involves high-value projects, complex regulatory landscapes and critical investment decisions.
But her most profound role lies outside the office — as a devoted mother to three children aged 13, 15, and 19.
Two of them, her eldest son and her youngest daughter, are neurodivergent.
"Raising neurodivergent children has taught me to be more mindful and attuned to my environment and circumstances.
"I've learned how to carefully balance the needs of my family with the demands of my career.
"I'm deeply grateful to have a supportive husband and family who help make that possible."
She said this in an interview on TV3's Wanita Hari Ini, titled 'Antara Cinta dan Kerjaya: Ibu dan Kerjaya', aired live last Thursday to mark Mothers Day, which falls today.
In the interview, Nurul acknowledged that there have been many times when the needs of her family and career had clashed.
"These overlaps happen all the time. What's important is for working mothers to recognise which needs their attention the most at the moment.
"But this is where a strong support system, both at home and at work, makes all the difference."
Nurul said PETRONAS offers flexible working hours that allow her to make time for her children's health needs.
"With this arrangement, I am able to focus fully on my children and take them for the required therapies and treatments at the hospital.
"I can plan ahead and my time with my family is uninterrupted."
Although motherhood is a full-time job in itself, Nurul said it was becoming a mother that ultimately made her more successful in her career.
A lawyer by qualification, Nurul has nearly 20 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry.
"Before I gave birth to my children, I didn't have clear goals for myself.
"But now as a mother, I look at my children, and I am reminded of how I must work hard for their health and happiness.
"My children are the source of my strength and the inspiration to my success every day," she added.
Nurul said mothers, by nature, do not understand the meaning of giving up.
"There are days when we're exhausted, unwell or burdened by countless worries. But as mothers, we push through it all to give our very best to the people we love.
"To all the women out there who are struggling to balance their careers and family, I say this: Don't give up. Stormy days don't last forever and the sun will shine again.
"Our careers matter, too. Through it, we gain independence, the ability to support our families and the power to build a better future for our children," she added.