Total number of Sarawakians in Petronas outside Sarawak = 1,000
KUCHING: Putrajaya and Petronas have agreed to appoint State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani as a member of the Board of Directors of Petronas.
This was one of the seven points mutually agreed to during a meeting between Putrajaya, Petronas and the state government on the hiring policy of Petronas in Sarawak on Friday.
The meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Petronas chief executive officer Datuk Wan Zulkifli Wan Ariffin and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“SS (State Secretary) is to represent us. I believe our SS once worked for Petronas,” Adenan told a news conference at the VIP holding room of Hornbill Skyways, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Morshidi.
When prompted, Adenan said Morshidi worked for Petronas in 1980.
Adenan said Petronas also agreed that the 192 posts which are now vacant would be advertised in local papers and to be filled by Sarawakians.
He added that Petronas would have to consult the state government if it finds that there is insufficient number of suitable Sarawakians to fill the posts.
Thirdly, he said, Petronas would provide up to 50 places for Sarawakians to do undergraduate studies at University Technology Petronas.
In addition to that, Petronas would intensify technical training for Sarawakians and enrol more Sarawakians in their training centres throughout the country, he added.
“Petronas is committed to supporting two petrochemical industries now under final negotiation. Petronas will also support other petrochemical and downstream industries after the completion of the joint study on petrochemical industries with the state government.”
Continuing on, Adenan said Petronas together with the federal government would consider the intention of the state government to participate in PSC (production sharing contract) contracts so that the state could benefit from the contracts.
Lastly, he said the state government also accepted the plan by Petronas to increase the number of Sarawakians in its workforce by 2020.
More steps to be taken for an amicable outcome, says Adenan
Giving a breakdown, he said the number of Sarawakians engaged at the management level would be increased from 33 per cent to 60 per cent, those at the managerial positions to 60 per cent from 41 per cent and executive level from 48 per cent to 75 per cent.
He also informed that presently the total number of Petronas employees in Sarawak was 5,190, out of which 3,880 were Sarawakians, and the total number of Sarawakians working in Petronas outside the state was 1,000.
“After this, the sub-committee chaired by the State Secretary will review the issuance of work permits with a view to lifting some which are being frozen.
“The state will review all 586 positions now pending approval of work permits to ensure Sarawakians are given priority to fill the posts.”
Asked if he was happy with the outcome of negotiations so far, Adenan said: “Yes. This is just the beginning of our amicable relationship. This is just the first step.”
He assured that more steps would be taken in view of the above amicable outcome.
“And I would ask parties involved not to make any comment etc on this issue because we are still conducting delicate negotiations.”
Early this month, The Borneo Post highlighted the concern of Suarah Petroleum Group over the retrenchment of senior Sarawakian officers by Petronas and the influx of Peninsular Malaysians in junior ranks into Sarawak.
Leaders across the political divide then began to urge the state government to act fast in stopping workers from other states from working in Sarawak.
This prompted the state government to issue a statement that a moratorium would be imposed with immediate effect on all new applications for work permits by Petronas personnel from outside Sarawak to serve in the State.