Petronas job cuts linked to AI and tech shift: PM
However, he said, affected employees were not being neglected as various initiatives were in place to safeguard their welfare and that of their families — including offering them positions in other government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs).
"This isn't a minor issue — we are deeply concerned. I have personally held multiple discussions with the group chief executive officer Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik to address this matter," Anwar said during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
He noted that the national oil company remains profitable, raising questions by certain quarters of why such job cuts are necessary.
"The justification lies in improving operational efficiency through new technologies, including digitalisation and AI, which have led to role redundancies," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked about the reasons behind Petronas' decision to reduce its workforce.
Meanwhile, in response to a question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), Anwar said Petronas will proceed with liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the United States only based on national needs and commercial viability.
"Under the agreement, we import only what is necessary. One of the countries we currently import from is the United States.
"But we must also remember that we are exporting as well. If the price is competitive and the project is considered commercially viable and reasonable, it makes sense to import more, including from the US, because we still have demand from Japan, Korea and China.
"Therefore, I do not see this as a problem as we import only what is necessary and based on commercial terms that will not burden Petronas or the country."
Anwar was responding to Syed Saddiq, who questioned how Petronas could protect its profits if it made annual LNG purchases worth US$3.4 billion (RM14.39 billion), on top of its current imports. These purchases are part of Malaysia's deal with Washington to reduce tariff rates.
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