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Petronas gas transition plan unrealistic, former minister warns

Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim has questioned the feasibility of transferring Petronas's gas sector responsibilities to state-owned Petros, cautioning that the move could undermine the national oil company's strength.

LSN Malaysia · 4 October 2026

Petronas gas transition plan unrealistic, former minister warns

Zaid Ibrahim has disputed assurances given regarding Petros's ability to assume greater control over Malaysia's gas operations, arguing that claims about the transition do not reflect operational realities. The former minister expressed concern that allowing Petros to expand into areas traditionally managed by Petronas could weaken the country's flagship energy company at a critical time. Petronas has long dominated Malaysia's upstream oil and gas sector, leveraging decades of technical expertise, international partnerships, and operational infrastructure. The potential shift in responsibilities represents a significant restructuring of the national energy landscape and has drawn scrutiny from observers questioning whether Petros possesses the institutional capacity and capital resources necessary to manage expanded gas operations effectively. The debate underscores broader questions about Malaysia's energy governance structure as the nation navigates transitions in its hydrocarbon sector.