‘We need to restructure our debt to move forward’

“The objective is to get back to sustainability, reduce the debt burden, ensure we can pay past dues to our vendors, generate enough margins and raise working capital to fund future projects." Datuk Anuar Mohd Taib

THE stakes are high for Datuk Anuar Mohd Taib, the group CEO of ailing Sapura Energy Bhd. He faces the daunting task of overseeing one of corporate Malaysia’s largest ever debt restructurings, a problem which he inherited when he joined the group in 2020.

A thunderstorm is battering the Sapura Energy headquarters on the afternoon of this exclusive two-hour interview, but nothing seems to rattle the calm and collected Anuar as he tackles the tough questions posed by StarBizWeek. Excerpts: