Graduated from University of Concordia, Montreal Canada with a Bachelor of Science (Major in Physics and Minor in Mathematics) in 1992 and University Malaya in Master of Business Administration in 2005.
Zalina’s career started with Royal Malaysian Air Force in 1993, as the first lady pilot in Maritime Squadron. Once completed her tour of duty with Ministry of Defense, she pursued her career as a lecturer with National Defense University Malaysia (NDUM) under Faculty of Defense Management. Seconded to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency for 4 year as a maritime pilot and at the same time holding the position of Senior Assistant Director for Air Operation’s Planning and Development after being in NDUM for 3 years. Became the first lady pilot that flown Amphibious Bombardier CL415MP.
Among her achievements when serving the Malaysian Government are:
• Establishment of National Defense University Leadership Center, National Defense
University Business Center and Faculty of Aviation and Space Study.
• Developed a 15-year Blueprint for Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Air
Operation Capability Development.
• Working closely for 6 months in 2013 with Attorney General Chamber to develop a
comprehensive maintenance contract for government aircraft and as a result,
government aircraft is able to achieve its 100% serviceability and readiness for
operation.
Started her career in PETRONAS in 2014, predominantly in Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) as Government Liaison Officer. In 2016, as the Head for Emergency & Crisis Management and in 2020 was appointed as Head, Oil Spill Management responsible in managing and ensuring preparedness for oil spill incident.
RM 129 million cost saving on Helicopter Optimization Program under Cost Reduction Alliance (CORAL) 2.0 initiative and received Focus Recognition from Vice President of MPM.
Using previous career achievement in government sectors, she played a key role in fostering and sustaining collaborative working relationship and rapport with the federal and state government authorities to supports Malaysia Oil & Gas business needs as well as manage stakeholders’ interests especially in emergency.
Among her achievements are:
• Collaboration with Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia to standardize Helideck Certification for Upstream Malaysia and become Chairman of Helideck Certification Committee.
• Established Upstream Malaysia Oil & Gas Offshore Joint Maritime Search & Rescue with Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency which recognized by Maritime Safety Canada.
• Established Upstream Malaysia Offshore Joint Aeronautical Search & Rescue with Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia and received recognition from International Civil Aviation Organization and as a result, Malaysia is appointed as the leading country for Asia Pacific Search & Rescue Working Group.
• Working with National Security Council to establish Terrorism Handling Protocol in Malaysian Maritime Zone as a preparedness to protect Upstream Malaysia Oil & Gas offshore assets and as a result PETRONAS interest is recorded in National Security Council Directive No. 6.
• Currently she is working with 13 government agencies under Malaysia Oil Spill Contingency Plan to establish a Standard Operating Procedure to render assistance from relevant government agencies during oil spill incident from offshore oil & gas activities.