By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 7: Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof has clarified that the reported plan by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) to cut more than 5,000 jobs is part of a company-wide reorganisation driven by global economic pressures, and not related to Sarawak’s role as the sole gas aggregator in the State.
Responding to media questions during a doorstep interview today, Fadillah said he has yet to meet PETRONAS officials for a full briefing, but understands that the company is undergoing internal restructuring.
“I’m also getting the report from the media which was released yesterday (June 6). So I’ve yet to meet up with PETRONAS to find out the detail.
“Hopefully, once I have the detail, only then I can respond to you on the rationale behind it,” he said after attending a Qurban event organised by the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Kampung Sungai Laruh at Darul Husni Warrahmah Mosque in Taman Hussein here today.
Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, pointed out that falling global oil prices may have pushed PETRONAS to reassess its operations, as the company’s cost expectations are likely based on prices above USD60.
He stressed that the planned layoffs are not connected to Sarawak’s role as a gas aggregator.
“No, no, nothing to do with that. It is the whole world scenario actually. Because of the oil price going down,” he said, responding to a question on whether the move was linked to Sarawak recently being recognised as the sole gas aggregator in the State.
Fadillah added that he will be meeting PETRONAS to get a clearer picture of the situation and to see if the number of layoffs can be reduced or avoided.
“I’m meeting up with them to get briefing and to make sure that the plan, the laying off, can be reduced. If not, can be avoided. So that’s what I’m going to do,” he assured. — DayakDaily
