Ex-Petronas manager expressed wish to join Petros in work email, court hears

He allegedly sent a confidential Petronas document to Petros’s CFO and CEO using his work email.

Petronas human resources (finance and risk) manager Suhaidah Labu, 42, said that apart from Khairul’s message, which read, “I look forward to joining your team”, the email allegedly contained Petronas’s “Q1 2024 Upstream Business Performance – Operational and Financial” report dated May 10, 2024.

She said the email was addressed to Petros CFO Azha Jalil Abdul Jalil and CEO Janin Girie.

Suhaidah was testifying as the sixth prosecution witness in the trial of Khairul, who is accused of attempting to disclose a confidential Petronas document to Petros.

She said the email was shown to her by Petronas industrial relations officers Jumsuri Basri and Zatil Ismah Azmi on Dec 6, 2024, to confirm whether Khairul had resigned from the company.

“There was no record of his resignation (in the system) and he was still an active Petronas employee,” she said in her witness statement.

However, during cross-examination by Khairul’s lawyer Louis Liaw, Suhaidah said she was unsure who had actually sent the email to Petros’s senior officers.

Liaw: Based on the email, you concluded that it was sent by Khairul Akmal?

Suhaidah: Yes.

Liaw: But you do not know who actually wrote the email and hit the send button?

Suhaidah: I am not sure.

In her witness statement, Suhaidah also said Khairul had verbally expressed his intention to be transferred to Sarawak where his family lived.

When questioned by deputy public prosecutor Noor Syafina Radzuan, Suhaidah said his request was not fulfilled as there was no vacant position for him in Sarawak.

Regarding Khairul’s work performance at Petronas, Suhaidah said he performed exceptionally well and was regarded as a top talent within the company’s finance fraternity.

She said Khairul had in-depth knowledge and understanding of the factors influencing oil and gas prices.

Khairul is charged with attempting to disclose the document, which he allegedly obtained during his tenure at Petronas, to Petros.

The offence was allegedly committed at B-6-10, Marc Service Residence, Jalan Pinang, Dang Wangi, between 3.19pm and 3.21pm on June 8, 2024.

He was charged under Section 203A(1) read with Section 511 of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum fine of RM1 million, imprisonment of up to one year or both, upon conviction.

The trial before judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid continues on Nov 18.