Najib slams move to appoint Petron as 3rd fuel provider

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 7 years ago · Published on 31 Aug 2018 12:05PM · 6 Comments

Najib Razak taking part in the Merdeka celebrations in Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, today. The former prime minister implies that the decision to name Petron a fuel provider is to benefit his sucessor's son. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 31, 2018.

PUTRAJAYA’S decision to appoint Petron as a fuel provider for government vehicles creates a moral conflict, said Najib Razak.

“That is something that is weighing on the minds of Malaysians today. Surely, the question of who owns Petron can create a conflict in terms of decisions and morals,” the former prime minister said in Kuala Lumpur today.

The decision to appoint Petron as a third fuel provider after Shell and Petronas has raised eyebrows as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s son, Mirzan, is a shareholder and director in Petron’s parent company Petron Corporation, which is based in the Philippines.

However, Mirzan does not have any interest in the oil company’s Malaysian operations.

Defending Putrajaya’s decision, the Finance Ministry said Petron was appointed to create healthy competition among fuel providers.

It said it did not involve any financial implication for the government.

Later in a Facebook post, Najib said the Petron appointment would cost national oil company Petronas.

“Petronas has petrol stations in all areas in Malaysia and with Shell, would provide an adequate combination (of choices) for Malaysian government vehicles.”

Najib said the decision also raised questions as to why the other fuel companies, such as Caltex and BHP, were not provided the same opportunity.

Petron Malaysia is part of Petron Corporation in the Philippines, an emerging and rapidly evolving Asian oil company.

Based on news reports, Petron currently operates 570 stations nationwide while Petronas has 1,065 stations.

Petron Corp arrived in Malaysia after it took over ExxonMobil’s downstream business in April 2012.

Petron subsidiaries in Malaysia comprise of Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd (formerly known as Esso Malaysia Berhad), a publicly listed company listed on Bursa Malaysia; Petron Fuel International Sdn Bhd (formerly known as ExxonMobil Malaysia Sdn Bhd); and Petron Oil (M) Sdn Bhd (formerly known as ExxonMobil Borneo Sdn Bhd). – August 31, 2018.

Rosmah Mansor (left) joined her husband, former prime minister Najib Razak, at the Merdeka celebrations in Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 31, 2018.

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Comments

  • Najib please concentrate only on your kleptocracy cases. Jail term is coming your way man

    Posted 7 years ago by Sabah One · Reply

  • Why do you guys have to post the ugly witch's pic?

    Posted 7 years ago by Hemanth Kumar Arumugam · Reply

  • PODAH NA.....S

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Adoh, Najib just shut up! Just worry about your upcoming jail sentence

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • Practice free trade - not monopolistic business.. only then the protected businesses can learn and grow

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

    • Agreed hence BHP and Caltex also needs to be given equal access to markets....

      Posted 7 years ago by Vicknaraj Thanarajah · Reply