In a farewell video message to Petronas staff, outgoing president and CEO Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin urged colleagues to hold fast to their principles even at the risk of unpopularity and loss of rewards.
The 60-year-old Zulkiflee, who served Petronas for 37 years and was recently removed as the national oil company’s head, also expressed hope that Petronas will be led by people with courage and conviction.
“Dear colleagues, I believe everything happens for a reason. The cycle of life continues to turn, and change is the only constant.
“As I prepare to pass on the baton to the next generation, I hope Petronas will be blessed with continued success even as the landscape and challenges will be different for each era.
“Often, in the position of trust, you will face conflicting choices and difficult decisions.
“Sometimes, standing by your principles may prove unrewarding and downright unpopular. It is a lonely path that true leaders must tread.
“At the end of it, doing the right thing allows you to have the peace of mind, clarity of conscience of having discharged your amanah – your responsibility – with honesty and honour,” Wan Zulkiflee said in the video that is being shared on social media and in chat groups.
After 37 years with Petronas, Wan Zulkiflee or better known as Wan Zul, resigned from the company earlier this month.
The reason for his departure is not known.
However, the government has since announced that he will take over as Malaysia Airlines Bhd chairman effective July 1.
Wan Zulkiflee’s post at Petronas will be replaced by its chief financial officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik.
Wan Zulkiflee started his career as a process engineer in Kerteh, Terengganu, in 1983 before heading the company in 2015.
Meanwhile, The Edge reported that Wan Zulkiflee’s departure has been linked to plans to amend the Petroleum Development Act.
Sources were cited as saying that Wan Zulkiflee was allegedly opposed to plans to amend the law.
“He didn’t want it (the changes to the act) to happen on his watch,” said an anonymous executive.
It is not clear what the amendments are, but the business weekly speculated that it could be to Sabah and Sarawak’s benefit, two states which get only 5 percent in oil royalties despite contributing 60 percent of oil and gas revenues.
By making the law more favourable to East Malaysia, the Perikatan Nasional government, it said, could try to woo Sabah’s Warisan away from Pakatan Harapan.
In such a case, this would also likely keep Sarawak’s GPS, which has 18 Parliament seats and is seen as a kingmaker, loyal to PN.
Speculation is rife that Harapan is trying to woo GPS in order to secure a strong enough majority to seize back federal power.
The Edge also said that the move to MAS was likely at Wan Zulkiflee’s own request.