From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail
ASHGABAT (TURKMENISTAN) June 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) success in securing one of the world's largest gas fields, following an agreement signed with the government of Turkmenistan, as an extraordinary achievement that positions the national oil and gas company among industry leaders.
According to him, the success also alleviates concerns over domestic gas supply shortages while enhancing the company's ability to continue exporting gas to countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and several others.
The Prime Minister said that his official visit to Turkmenistan, made at the invitation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was a reciprocal visit following the president's trip to Malaysia in December 2024.
"What was interesting in 2024 was that when Petronas informed me of the need to urge President Serdar to recognise Petronas's role as a key pillar in the expansion of Turkmenistan's oil and gas industry, he (Berdimuhamedov) appeared to provide strong assurances at that time.
"Following that, a series of negotiations took place. Given Petronas's track record and performance as a highly respected operator and manager of oil companies, along with the various proposals the company offered to the host country - such as technology transfer opportunities, training exposure, including at Universiti Petronas, and the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - these initiatives attracted the president's attention.
"This led him to accept the proposal more readily. It is an extraordinary achievement that places Petronas among the owners of the world's largest gas fields here in Turkmenistan," he told Malaysian media before concluding his two-day official visit to the country, which began yesterday.
Anwar also expressed his appreciation to the Turkmenistan government, noting that the country's decision to place its confidence in Petronas and Malaysia at such a high level would guarantee exceptional revenue generation for the company. According to the Prime Minister, the close relationship between the two countries also opens the door for greater cooperation across various industries and sectors.
"Malaysia will also focus on expanding cooperation beyond the oil and natural gas sector into other areas, including science, technology, research, semiconductor education, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging fields," he said.
Earlier, he attended the Turkmenistan-Malaysia Forum commemorating the 30th anniversary of bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, which was also attended by President Berdimuhamedov.
The Prime Minister, who also serves as Finance Minister, was accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), and the Ministry of Economy.
This was Anwar's first official visit to Turkmenistan and the fifth such visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister.
-- BERNAMA
