PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured the public that the majority of job cuts at Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) will affect contract positions, not permanent staff.
Speaking to reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Al-Ikhwan on June 6, Anwar responded to growing concerns about job security within one of the country’s largest employers. “It mostly involves contract (positions),” he said in a short but pointed remark, acknowledging the unease felt by thousands of workers and their families.
The Prime Minister’s clarification follows recent news from PETRONAS president and CEO, Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, who announced that approximately 10% of the company’s 50,000-strong workforce would be affected as part of a larger restructuring and “right-sizing” effort.
The move, while strategic in nature, has stirred emotions across the country — particularly among contract workers who now face the reality of job loss in uncertain economic times.
While Tengku Muhammad Taufik emphasized that this step is necessary to ensure PETRONAS’ long-term sustainability, he also sought to allay fears by denying rumors that the company would pull out of its operations in Canada.
PETRONAS maintains that this restructuring is part of a broader initiative to future-proof the company amid shifting global energy demands.
Still, behind every statistic is a human story — a livelihood, a family, a future on hold. For many contract employees, this news isn’t just about corporate strategy; it’s about what comes next and how they’ll navigate life after PETRONAS.
With the Prime Minister’s reassurance, there’s hope that affected individuals will receive support, guidance, and perhaps a pathway to new opportunities — even as the company charts a new course.
