Mohd Sidek steps down as Petronas chairman

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan is said to have stepped down from his position as the chairman of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) yesterday, sources said.

It is understood that Mohd Sidek’s contract would have ended this Saturday.

According to an internal circulation obtained by StarBiz, Petronas staff were asked to assemble at the lobby of the Petronas Twin Towers at about 4.45pm to “bid a warm farewell” to Mohd Sidek yesterday.

It added that Mohd Sidek would be away on a “business trip” from today onwards.

“The farewell is like a tradition for Petronas’ high-level leavers, which it had when former president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas and Tan Sri Hassan Merican left,” an executive said.

Mohd Sidek had been helming the chairman’s position since July 1, 2012. His contract was then extended for another three years from July 1, 2015 until June 30 this year.

Of late, there has been major changes in the top management of government-linked companies, which is said to be part of the reform programme of the new government under Pakatan Harapan.

Petronas saw its independent non-executive director Datuk Mohd Omar Mustapha tendering his resignation earlier this month.

It has been reported that Hassan would make it to Petronas as the new chairman of the national oil company, succeeding Mohd Sidek.