Mastura Abd Manap: Opening New Waters for Women

MASTURA ABD MANAP, CEO, SCUBATEX RESOURCES SDN BHD

Curiosity has a way of opening doors that careful planning never could. The paths that seem disconnected at first often prove to be the ones that shape an entrepreneur’s instincts, sharpen judgment, broaden perspective, and reveal opportunities that only become visible with time. What begins as a series of individual pursuits eventually finds its rhythm, each experience lending greater purpose to the next. That rhythm is unmistakable in the story of Mastura Abd Manap, CEO of Scubatex, whose career has been shaped not by following a predetermined path but by letting curiosity serve as its compass.

Every pursuit expanded her perspective, every challenge sharpened her resolve, and every unexpected turn offered a new way of looking at opportunity. What began as a fascination with understanding how things work naturally evolved into the disciplined thinking of an engineer, laying a foundation built on analysis, precision, and problem-solving. Yet she recognised early that knowledge, however valuable, finds its greatest purpose when it is translated into action. Drawn by an entrepreneurial spirit, she chose to create opportunities instead of waiting for them, embracing the uncertainties that accompany every worthwhile venture. An encounter with scuba diving would later become another defining chapter, revealing possibilities that stretched far beyond personal interest and inviting her to reimagine what could be built within an evolving industry. Today, that same blend of technical discipline, entrepreneurial conviction, and an enduring affinity for the ocean continues to shape her leadership at Scubatex and beyond. As she puts it, “The most meaningful discoveries begin the moment curiosity is given the courage to lead.”

The Courage to Dive Deeper

For many, the move from mechanical engineering to scuba diving might seem an unlikely course. For Mastura, it was curiosity leading her where it naturally belonged. Introduced to scuba diving in 2006, what began as a personal passion soon became an opportunity to look beneath the surface, not only of the ocean but of an industry she believed held far greater potential than it was given credit for. “I have always believed that opportunities rarely arrive fully formed; they are discovered by those willing to look a little deeper,” she reflects.

As her involvement in the industry grew, so did her awareness of the gaps that limited its progress. Shortcomings in equipment supply, training, talent development, and broader industry support became opportunities for innovation rather than reasons to hold back. That perspective laid the foundation for Scubatex, which has since evolved from a modest diving business into a diversified company serving the scuba diving, aquatic tourism, manufacturing, and training sectors.

The journey also brought her another reality into sharp focus: women remained significantly underrepresented in leadership, entrepreneurship, and technical roles. Determined to help change that narrative, she founded the Malaysia Women Scuba Divers Association (WASEM), creating a platform where women can learn, lead, connect, and thrive. Today, through education, leadership development, sustainability initiatives, and international collaboration, WASEM continues to open doors for more women to chart their course within the diving and aquatic tourism industry.

Earning the Current

Every industry has its unspoken rules. When Mastura stepped into scuba diving, one of them was the assumption that technical expertise, operational leadership, and decision-making belonged largely to men. Qualifications alone did not always command confidence; credibility often had to be earned twice over. Yet rather than spend her energy challenging perceptions, she chose to outgrow them. Consistency became her strongest argument, and results spoke long before she needed to. “The most convincing response to doubt is excellence,” she shares.

However, her journey was never one she walked alone. Alongside her was her husband, whose shared passion for diving became the foundation of a partnership that extended far beyond the water. Together, they transformed a common interest into Scubatex, growing alongside an industry they helped shape while reminding her that meaningful success is rarely a solo pursuit.

That lesson continues to define the way she leads. Analytical by training yet deeply people-centred in practice, Mastura believes leadership is less about directing people and more about creating the conditions in which they can flourish. Whether through Scubatex, the WASEM, or her wider industry and international engagements, she has remained committed to connecting people, sharing knowledge, and opening doors for others. For her, the true measure of leadership is not the height of one’s achievements, but the number of others inspired to rise alongside them.

​Purpose in Motion

For Mastura, the growth of Scubatex and the mission of the WASEM have never travelled on parallel paths; each has strengthened the other. While Scubatex provides the industry platform, business expertise, and ecosystem, WASEM ensures that more women are equipped to participate, lead, and flourish within it. To her, commercial success has never been an end in itself but a responsibility to create opportunities that extend well beyond the balance sheet. As Scubatex expanded across scuba diving, aquatic tourism, manufacturing, training, and sports tourism, it naturally created new avenues for skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership, making WASEM a meaningful extension of that vision.

Sustaining both commitments demands more than careful planning. It requires trust, a capable team, and a shared sense of purpose. Surrounded by people who are equally committed to industry development and community building, Mastura has been able to focus on strategic growth while continuing to champion greater participation for women across the sector. “The true measure of success is not what we build for ourselves, but what continues to grow because we chose to lift others,” she reflects.

Her understanding of success has also matured over time. While business growth, market presence, and milestones remain important, they are no longer the sole markers of achievement. Today, success is measured by the impact she creates, the leaders she helps shape, and the opportunities she leaves behind. Whether it is watching a team member advance, a woman step confidently into leadership, or an entrepreneur expand a business after receiving guidance, those moments carry a significance that no financial metric can fully capture. For Mastura, lasting success lies in staying true to her values, embracing change with resilience, and leaving the industry stronger than she found it.

A Compass Within

Balance is often mistaken for doing everything at once. Mastura has come to see it differently, knowing what deserves her full attention at any given moment, and having the confidence to trust others with the rest. Years of leading across business, industry, and community have taught her that sustainable leadership begins with clear priorities, thoughtful delegation, and the confidence to let others grow. “Leadership is not measured by how much we carry ourselves, but by how many people are ready to carry the vision with us,” she believes.

Today, alongside leading Scubatex and serving as President of the WASEM, she also serves as Secretary General of the International Federation of Sports and Aquatic Tourism Industrialists (IFSAT), International Trade Liaison Advisor for the Association of Malaysian Women Visionary Entrepreneurs (WAWASANITA), and an Executive Committee member of the Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association (MITA). Though diverse in scope, each role is united by a common purpose: strengthening industries, creating opportunities, and building resilient communities.

Behind that commitment is an equally important source of strength. Supported by her husband, whose passion for diving mirrors her own, Mastura has built both a business and a life grounded in shared purpose. And when the pace of leadership becomes demanding, she returns to the water. Beneath the surface, away from the noise, she finds the clarity to reflect, recharge, and return with renewed perspective for whatever lies ahead.

The Long View

The next chapter of Mastura’s journey is guided by a vision that reaches beyond the organisations she leads. After more than two decades of building businesses, strengthening industries, and championing community development, she now sees corporate board leadership as a natural extension of her experience. An opportunity to contribute at a broader strategic level across governance, innovation, sustainability, international trade, tourism development, and human capital. Equally important is her aspiration to help shape boardrooms that better reflect the diversity of the communities and markets they serve, believing that stronger representation leads to stronger decisions. “Leadership should never be about occupying a seat; it should be about creating value from it,” she says.

That same vision continues to guide the future of Scubatex Group and the WASEM. As Scubatex works towards its planned listing in 2028 and expands its presence across the ASEAN region, its focus remains firmly on creating opportunities, nurturing talent, advancing innovation, and contributing to the blue economy. At the same time, she envisions WASEM evolving into a leading regional platform that empowers women through education, mentorship, leadership development, and international collaboration. Her advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is as practical as it is enduring: dream boldly, begin with what you have, embrace every lesson along the way, and never underestimate the strength of resilience. For Mastura, success is ultimately measured not by the positions we attain, but by the opportunities we leave behind for others to pursue.