KUALA LUMPUR – The Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama) has denounced efforts to boycott Petronas, asserting that a solution has been provided during a meeting between the government-linked company and its subsidiary.
Perdasama president Mohd Azamanizam Baharon said that the meeting resulted in Petronas’ subsidiary, Gentari Sdn Bhd, agreeing with a suggestion put forth by the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM).
The recommendation centres on the creation of a consortium consisting of qualified solar industry players who can be considered potential contract holders in the future.
Azamanizam also said that a bumiputera development programme will be established within Petronas so that bumiputera-owned companies in various oil and gas fields are prioritised during the national energy giant’s contract distribution.
“This is in line with what was discussed and agreed upon by Petronas during the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 regarding increasing opportunities for bumiputera entities in the energy transition sector.
“The statement by certain quarters urging all Malaysians, especially the Malays and Bumiputeras, to boycott Petronas’ gas stations is an ill-advised and shortsighted act,” Azamanizam said in a statement today.
He added that boycott initiatives should be utilised for appropriate matters, such as efforts to boycott Israeli-linked products, instead of boycotting Malay Bumiputera corporations.
The latter, he cautioned, will only cause more harm than good.
He also said that those involved with the boycott calls should not use scare tactics and an “entitlement mentality” to advocate for the fate of Malay and Bumiputera businesses.
Previously, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Syed Hassan Syed Ali had defended his call to boycott the purchase of petrol at Petronas gas stations for a week beginning April 1.
His boycott campaign came after allegations that the oil and gas giant had appointed a non-Bumiputera company for a solar panel installation contract.
Earlier, lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim had questioned Perkasa’s call for a boycott against Petronas, suggesting instead that the economic model should be modified to be more progressive and radical. – April 1, 2024