Here’s what ArosliWealth, a user in X wrote about it based on what he knows. He mentioned a rumour going around that many Petronas staff might soon face layoffs. Apparently Sarawak, through its state-owned oil and gas company Petros, is ramping up efforts to take full control of its oil and gas resources. This is no small talk. This is something big—a major power struggle with national implications.
Everything began to shift after Sarawak, led by its Premier, decided to take matters into its own hands. The state established Petros, a bold move to reclaim what they believe is ‘rightfully’ theirs. Their argument is clear: “Oil and gas are the lifeblood of our state. It’s only fair that we have greater control and a larger share of the revenue.” There goes the federalism.
The showdown began to become serious. Petronas, which has long enjoyed dominance, has started losing its grip in Sarawak. This is no small loss. Sarawak produces a significant chunk of Malaysia’s oil and gas, making it a major contributor to Petronas’ revenue. If Petros succeeds in taking over all oil and gas operations in the state, the impact on Petronas could be huge, not just for the company but also for its employees.
In 2024, the cracks in Petronas’ dominance have become increasingly visible. And, Petros has been gaining momentum, pushing for greater autonomy in major projects and expanding into new areas like carbon capture and storage. If Petronas continues to lose ground, operations in the state are likely to shrink. And when operations are scaled back, job cuts often follow. It’s a harsh reality that has left many wondering what their future holds.
But why is Sarawak pushing so hard? The state wants more of the profits from its resources to stay within its borders, rather than flowing to the federal government. It also seeks greater control over its destiny, believing it can manage its oil and gas industry without relying on Petronas. With shrinking revenue and losing grip over Sarawak’s resources, Petronas may have no choice but to restructure. The fallout could lead to job cuts and a major reshuffle in how the company operates, particularly in affected regions.
This ‘war’ is pretty much similar to Donald Trump’s America-first campaign. This Sarawak-first strategy could trigger a bigger impact towards the Federation of Malaysia. Is federalism fading away? Might be. But first things first, the layoff could be happening anytime soon.
