Petronas says Dr Mahathir still adviser, slams MTEM over claims it ordered his office cleared
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed
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PETALING JAYA: Petroleum Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has refuted allegations by the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) that it ordered the clearing out of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed's office after his announcement that he was quitting as its adviser due to health reasons.
It also said Dr Mahathir remained its adviser and that his office at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur was being maintained.
"Petronas holds the utmost respect and esteem for Dr M for his contributions to the company as well as the nation, and condemns the malicious statements of MTEM, which fabricated this claim for its questionable purposes," the national oil company said in a statement.
The company was responding to MTEM Oil and Gas Cluster chief Tengku Putra Tengku Ahmad, who had slammed Petronas chief Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abas, alleging mistreatment of the oil firm's former adviser.
"Is this how a national oil company treats a man who was instrumental in turning Petronas into a Fortune 500 company and equipped with undeniable contribution in his 27 years of tenure?" he asked.
In its statement, Petronas said matters relating to the appointment of an advisor for the company was the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's office and beyond the purview of Petronas.
