Media Statement (2) by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, 28^th May 2009: 

Najib should put Petronas speculation to rest – Is Hamid Albar appointed Petronas Chairman and Omar Ong Petronas non-executive Board director?

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak at his 3 pm media conference today to announce the revised figures of the countrty’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should put to rest the heated and contentious speculation in the blogosphere on new and important appointments in Petronas.

The Petronas Board of Directors met yesterday.

Najib should clarify once and for all whether former Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has been appointed Petronas Chairman and if so, explain why a person deemed unfit to continue as Cabinet Minister as to be dropped in the recent reshuffle should be considered proper material as Petronas Chairman.

Furthermore, whether Omar Ong, one of the Putrajaya “Level Four” boys of former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been appointed non-executive director of Petronas, with a view to his future appointment as Petronas CEO and replacement of Tan Sri Hassan Merican next year – as well as the basis and criteria for such an appointment.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary leader & MP for Ipoh Timor