By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 8:Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan today called on Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) to contribute at least an additional RM5 billion in dividends to the federal coffers, enabling the federal government to provide further incentives and maintain fuel subsidies for the people amid challenging economic times.
Ahmad noted that PETRONAS’ net profit for 2025 stood at RM45.4 billion, yet the dividend allocated to the government this year fell sharply to RM20 billion from RM32 billion last year.
He added that the PETRONAS Group’s total revenue was RM266.1 billion, down 17 per cent from RM320 billion in 2024.
He argued that, despite PETRONAS’ claims of rising costs and the need to retain capital for new exploration projects worldwide, including potentially in Sarawak, there remains a significant balance that could be channelled to public welfare.
“So, if we take the net profit of RM45 billion and deduct the RM20 billion dividend given to the government, there is still RM25 billion remaining. I suggest giving at least another RM5 billion. Logic or not?” he said during a press conference at Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Sarawak today.
Ahmad reminded that during the Covid-19 pandemic, PETRONAS which is a government-owned company, had contributed RM50 billion to the government, the largest dividend ever given during that period.
Given the recent surge in fuel subsidy costs, from RM700 million in February to nearly RM4 billion now, he stressed that the additional dividend could help ease the government’s burden and ensure subsidies like RM1.99 for RON95 and RM2.15 for diesel in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as for certain sectors in Peninsular Malaysia, can continue.
A former two-time Deputy Finance Minister, Ahmad said his personal proposal prioritises public benefit over new exploration projects.
“The extraordinary expenditure in the national budget is only RM2 billion. In my view, PETRONAS could temporarily postpone capital-intensive global exploration plans and use the remaining profit to support the rakyat during these difficult times. I am aware of the facts and data,” he said.
In addition to the dividend proposal, Ahmad outlined seven key personal recommendations, which he also shared on his Facebook page this morning.
These include providing incentives to employees who reduce fuel consumption through initiatives such as carpoling and taking public transportation; offering public transport discounts to encourage use of LRT, MRT, trains and monorails; bulk procurement for supermarkets to lower consumer prices; and curbing hoarding, subsidised goods leakages, and smuggling with media exposure of offenders and imposing maximum fines.
He also suggested granting variation of price (VOP) or extension of time (EOT) to contractors affected by rising material costs and promoting direct purchasing from local fishermen, farmers, breeders and planters for food items like fish, vegetables, chicken, rice and meat to keep prices affordable.
“It is not about the government wasting funds; it is about sustaining essential support for the people,” he added. — DayakDaily
