Tuesday 30 August 2016

Parochialism affecting Petronas and it's not good for Malaysia

Parochialism is bad for Malaysia and its people.

Those who promote it are actually doing so for self interest, either it political or financial.

At least that's how I see the whole thing.

That's why I disagree with concepts such as Bangsa Johor, Sarawak for Sarawakians, etc.

All these can weaken the federation and could ultimately destroy our country.

No matter how proponents of such concepts tried to spin it, they will not be able to deny that to excessively promote such parochialism will undermine Malaysia itself.

Those who felt inclined to support such a concept should reflect on what such attitude will lead to.

Please do not blindly support such things.

It will not even be good for the people of any state if  they let themselves be seduced by such concepts.

Just look at the issues of oil royalties demands by Sarawak and the recent moratorium imposed against Petronas workers intended to be deployed in that state.

I had been told that Petronas people were not being nice enough in dealing with the Sarawakians, but that's besides the point as far as this posting is concerned.

What I'm more concerned is the parochialism sentiments being used in the bargaining process over those issues..

I have to agree with the arguments on the matter as put forth in this post by the blogger at BlackGold blog,


Excerpts :

In reality, Petronas is a multinational and it should view hirings and appointments from a global perspective; within the Petronas universe, geographical and political boundaries should not exist other than some additional administrative processes, only its own structural boundaries matter when deploying staff.
It is only fair all around that employees with the right skills and experience are mobilised across the globe to meet the requirements of specific jobs.
Just as the freeze on work permits by Sarawak state have actually affected Petronas’ operations (and that of its suppliers and contractors), the restrictions of political boundaries may affect not only Petronas operation but also the career prospects of Sarawakians within Petronas.
Mobility across geographical areas is critical for any career development as it builds experience and skills while providing much needed exposure to different working environment that will only add value when being considered for career advancement.

I had done some digging too on the issue and these are 10 things that I feel Malaysians, particularly the people of Sarawak should realise:

1. More oil and gas projects around the world are being cancelled due to the current crude price slump.

2. The cancelled projects means more workers in the industry worldwide are losing their job.

3. The industry is not expecting things to improve soon and players are taking "drastic measures"to survive.

4. Petronas is doing the same and so far found itself with over 1,000 positions categorised as being "redundant".

5. The total number of Sarawakians, said to be unfairly dismissed by Petronas from their job in the State is 18. This triggered the recent uproar which led to the moratorium on Petronas workers coming from other states.

6. The 18 are actually among a batch of those (from Sarawak and other states) in the redundant positions. They were offered a very good voluntary separation scheme (VSS) package and assistance to find new jobs. They all accepted the offer.

7. More than three quarters of Petronas workforce in Sarawak, numbering about 5,000 are Sarawakians. But it should be noted that there are also many Sarawakians employed by Petronas for its operations in other states and across the world.

8. As pointed out in the post at the Black Gold blog, the moratorium on Petronas workers had caused disruptions to Petronas' operations and those of its foreign partners. This is not good for the reputation of Sarawak and Malaysia, at least within the world oil and gas industry, particularly as the country and state is known all these while as a reliable supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

 9. Petronas has not been biased when it comes to employing or restructuring its workforce even though it does tries to accommodate in instances of political pressure such as what happened in Sarawak.

10. Based on what happened, it was clear that parochialism was used by certain quarters to play up the issue and it caused detrimental effects on Petronas, which is not good for Malaysia.  Revenues of Petronas is very important to the country. If Petronas fails, the country will be in quite a fix.

24 comments:

  1. Annie,

    I agree with your comments EXCEPT for parochialism as it applies to Sabah and Sarawak.

    The Malaysia Agreement 1963 is a legal document - it's essentially a binding promise by Malaya that the two East Malaysian states would be treated as equal partners in a federation - equal partners, not slave "states".

    The agreement is not vague. It is detailed. And it has has been broken repeatedly. And Sabah and Sarawak are still dirt poor and have been passed over almost every time for funding.

    I cannot blame them if they decide enough's enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Takdirnya Sabah dan Sarawak merdeka, dapatkah mereka menguruskan kerajaan negeri dengan lebih baik? Sarawak di bawah kepimpinan Tan Sri Taib Mahmud dikatakan mempunyai rezab sebanyak RM26 billion tetapi masih mundur. Pembangunan di Sarawak masih ketinggalan seperti jalan raya dan kemudahan asas yang lain.

      Kenapa Taib Mahmud tidak gunakan duit RM26 bilion ini untuk majukan Sarawak? Kenapa perlu menunggu peruntukan kerajaan pusat? Ada yang mengatakan kemudahan asas itu adalah tanggungjawab kerajaan pusat dan bukannya tanggungjawab kerajaan negeri.

      Kalau begitu untuk apa RM26 billion itu kalau rakyat Sarawak berbilang kaum masih miskin? Ada yang menganggap jika Umno memerintah Sarawak, negeri Sarawak tak mampu dapat rezab sebanyak RM26 billion.

      Apa yang berlaku di Sabah apabila ketua menterinya, Datuk Seri Musa Aman diremote control oleh Kuala Lumpur, maka Sabah tidak banyak duit seperti Sarawak. Sebab itu Datuk Abang Johari dihalang menjadi Ketua Menteri kerana kononnya Abang Jo lebih rapat dengan para pemimpin Umno.

      Apa makna mengekalkan PBB di Sarawak kalau kemiskinan di Sarawak masih tinggi?
       

      Delete
    2. The filipinos particularly the Kiram's clans would be over the moon if Sabah or Sarawak secedes from the federation.

      Delete

  2. Interesting insight on Petronas mismanagement:

    "And finally, though it is not implicated in the scandal, Malaysia’s state-owned oil company Petronas – which pays a huge annual dividend to the government and accounts for almost half of Malaysia’s oil revenues – is one of the largest foreign investors in B.C. Petronas, of course, is the company behind the proposed $36-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project.

    Kenneth Courtis, a Tokyo-based former vice-chairman for Goldman Sachs Asia who has advised on large LNG projects in Asia, says a looming supply glut of liquefied natural gas will depress prices for years to come and make Petronas’s B.C. project untenable – and a potential scandal in Kuala Lumpur.

    “If it were a commercial company, they might say, ‘We’ve screwed up, we’re going to write this off.’ But with the tremendous scandal that’s shaking the Malaysian government to its foundation – if on top of this, they had their national champion write off [their investment in B.C.], that’s a big deal,” he told The Globe this week, suggesting Petronas would begin to drag its feet, squeeze costs and seek further concessions rather than admit defeat.

    From:

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/alleged-scandals-surrounding-malaysian-pm-could-have-several-consequences/article26537873/

    This article begins:

    "With a prime ministerial scandal burning away and acrid smoke shrouding huge swaths of Malaysia, one could be mistaken for thinking the government in Kuala Lumpur was quite literally going up in flames.

    The smoke, of course, comes from forest fires illegally set to clear land on the nearby island of Sumatra. But it does provide a suitably gloomy backdrop for what’s happening to Prime Minister Najib Razak."

    If Petronas fails, the country will be in quite a fix, yes, but let's fix Petronas management first.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Katak bawah tempurung. Village idiots!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Parochialism for semangat setiakawan while you are working away from your birth state ok la.. But for parochialism to dictate federal establishments is not gonna make sense.

    It seems like the state establishment try to safeguard their state interest due to the TPPA signing. Federal brings 'pelabur luar' in to the state and left the state establishment with no interest and federal sapu all taxes or whatsoever revenue from it, without thinking for the state welfare.

    Come on, with the current leadership that bergelumang with scandal, how do you expect the state would react? To be played again and again and again. How long more? We gonna celebrate 'Hari Kebangsaan' soon as Malaysia as a whole. Cash can be king for a while but you cant buy people happiness and contentment. Isnt it?

    States will bargain whatever they can get because of current that so exposed.

    Whatever bangsa we are all human. We live together. Isnt it Annie? Isnt that being 'neutral' is all about?

    Have a blissful day!

    ReplyDelete

  5. [ pəˈrəʊkɪəlɪz(ə)m/ ]
    Parochialism: a limited or narrow outlook, specially focused on one's locality; narrow-mindedness in general.

    On the other hand, pray stay humble and kind ... everywhere
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know there's a light that glows by the front door
      Don't forget the key's under the mat
      When childhood stars shine,
      Always stay humble and kind

      Go to church 'cause your mama says to
      Visit grandpa every chance that you can
      It won't be wasted time
      Always stay humble and kind

      Hold the door, say "please", say "thank you"
      Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
      I know you got mountains to climb
      But always stay humble and kind

      When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
      When the work you put in is realized
      Let yourself feel the pride
      But always stay humble and kind

      Don't expect a free ride from no one
      Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why:
      Bitterness keeps you from flyin'
      Always stay humble and kind

      Know the difference between sleeping with someone
      And sleeping with someone you love
      "I love you" ain't no pick-up line
      So always stay humble and kind

      When it's hot, eat a root beer popsicle
      Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
      Let that summer sun shine
      Always stay humble and kind

      Don't take for granted the love this life gives you
      When you get where you're going don't forget turn back around
      And help the next one in line
      Always stay humble and kind

      Delete
  6. Tell that to the person/s who made emotional outburst when Mahathir commented on Bangsa Johor.

    ReplyDelete
  7. In contrary Parochialism can have a positive impact if is uniformally applied. Sarawak is the best example. This state can grant or deny entry anyone from peninsular - a bad example of selective parachialism. However if such a priviledge is given to states in peninsular so that they can do the same to sarawakians then this type of parochialism is fair and square.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 'Axiata Group Berhad (Axiata) has defended Celcom’s new chief executive officer Michael Kuehner (pic) amid objections over the appointment of a foreigner to head the telecommunications company.'

    We also parochial......if choose mat salleh everybody scream!

    Ha ha ha.......

    MAS serupa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jika orang melayu dilantik sebagai CEO kat dalam mana2 syarikat besar di luar negara. Bagi kita. Itu merupakan satu pencapaian yang membanggakan.

      Bayangkan.......

      Jika reaksi rakyat di negara tersebut seperti melayu kat negara neh. Apa kau rasa? Kau taknak orang discriminate bakat dan pengalaman bangsa kau, tapi kau discriminate pengalaman dan bakat bangsa lain takpe pula ek?

      Delete
    2. Setuju, 16:15!

      Delete

  9. Selamat menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan


    M Zin
    Alor Gajah DPH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salam Saudar M.Zin.

      Saya terbaca komen terbaru dari blog JMD dan saya berpendapat, buah fikiran pengomen itu mengenai 'Kemerdekaan' amat bernas dan tepat sekali.

      Mungkin sebab itu, Duli-Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku, seolah-olah tutup-mulut mengenai peyelwengan WANG Rakyat dalam 1MDB.

      Saya copy-paste, dengan sedikit 'censor' seperti dibawah:-

      "Sempena menyambut Kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu pada 31hb Ogos ini baik juga kita ulas kemerdekaan dari siapa?
      Memang orang Johor yang ##### je yang angan angan nak bawa Johor keluar dari Malaysia. sebab tak de laut antara Johor dan Pahang atau N.Sembilan.

      Perlu diingat Professor Diraja Khoo Khay Peng dan Zainal Kling telah mendedahkan, sebetulnya Tanah Melayu tak pernah dijajah oleh Inggeris.
      Semuanya adalah pertalian perniagaan tidak seperti di India, tidak ada Governor General dsb.
      Mengikut ilmuan terkemuka Prof Khoo Khay Peng, kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu adalah kemerdekaan orang Melayu dari feudalisma.
      Ia itu kuasa rakyat adalah ditangan orang Melayu dan bukan lagi pada Raja Raja.

      Sebab itu British dengan mudah keluar dari Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Mereka cuma cuba menjajah pada tahun 1948 melalui Malayan Union tapi gagal kerana orang Melayu menghalang keretapi Sultan Sultan Melayu bergerak dari Kuala Kangsar.

      Sultan2 Melayu menangis melihat kesetiaan orang Melayu dan demokrasi adalah satu undi satu orang yang memberi kuasa pemerintahan kepada orang Melayu sedangkan Sultan adalah simbol kedaulatan bangsa Melayu di Tanah Melayu.

      Jadi adalah terlambat untuk Johor balik kepada sistem feudalisma yang jelas nyata gagal menjaga kepentingan rakyat jelata bila tanah tanah melayu diberi kepada pendatang Cina yang mampu membayar wang yang banyak. Ini masih terus berlaku di Johor.

      Orang Melayu miskin, tanah tergadai kepada syarikat gergasi Cina. Memang Cina baik tapi mereka baik kepada mereka yang ada kuasa sahaja."

      Delete
    2. Saudara RD, bloga pompuan cina gemok tu dah accuse saudara of being "RBA" pulak.......bodo piang pompuan tu!

      Delete

    3. Ya namun penggubal Perlembagaan 1957 sengaja mengetepikan beberapa prinsip utama HAM sejagat, Sdr RD
      untuk alhamduli 'Llah memberi keistimewaan kepada Melayu dan Islam
      yang sekarang tak habis2 diungkit

      Perlembagaan Malaysia unik:
      Ini bukan kerana pikak penjajah British kasihan(?) melainkan kerana tekanan institusi Kesultanan Melayu, politik Melayu Islam atau keduanya kan?


      M Zin
      Alor Gajah DPH

      Delete
    4. Terima kasih Anon 2011.

      Mungkin dia marah kerana saya, dari scandal 1MDB mula meletop, tidak lagi sokong 'bos' beliau.
      Apabila:-
      - mereka yang dipertanggung-jawab menyiasat 1MDB tersingkir, pengkritik dalam kepimpinan UMNO dipecat/gantung
      - party bertukar menjadi UMNO-Najib dan Najib dijulang oleh ahli-ahli UMNO
      - PAS, setelah tidak lagi 'berpelok' dengan DAP, mula berbaik dengan Najib,
      saya terus berhenti dari menyokong UMNO Najib & BN.

      Mungkin kerana itu di tuduh saya RBA.
      Dia guna kaedah 'either you are with or against UMNO-Najib'.

      Delete
  10. Annie,

    Babi Oink-Oink Gemuk (Founder of Umno, Adviser to PAS, and recent Malaysiakini communist) has posted a Merdeka blog that has PAS and UMNO logos together.

    I humble suggestion to this flabby Chinese opportunist is that she starts by applying to PAS to speak at all their upcoming ceramah.

    I hear this khinzir betina is quite the expert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kih kih kih........Babi Oink-Oink Gemuk = BOOG, Babi Oink-Oink Montel = BOOM

      Delete
    2. suruh betina cina tu terus apply jadi Mursyidul Am PAS, ler........hehehe......

      Delete

    3. I dislike her pretentiousness, Sdr mdzfrs
      and long stopped visiting her blog

      No need however to nauzubi 'Llah insult a persons looks, just as it is also poor taste for some here to insult LoA personally

      Celebebrate differences:
      Lets enjoy differences in our positions, and hehe killing opposite ideas boleh?
      ( just a suggestion)


      M Zin
      Alor Gajah DPH

      Delete
    4. oiiiii, mangkuk zina munafiq no 1 di dunia, ko x habis kentut & hisap ke?

      Delete

    5. You must hold the record, Lil sis Ms Annie
      for the most persistent insect trolls allowed to post
      ( eg.whoever Anon 12:58)


      M Zin
      Alor Gajah DPH

      Delete