FROM Malaysia's first LNG exports in 1983 to PETRONAS' energy transition efforts today, responsible reporting has helped Malaysians understand milestones that shaped growth, security and opportunity. The media has illuminated achievements while providing scrutiny that strengthens transparency.
"As Malaysia continues its development journey, we look forward to working together to tell stories of progress, innovation and shared aspirations, while helping Malaysians better understand how PETRONAS continues to serve the nation and contribute to a sustainable future."
Here are the excerpts from the interview.
> Over the past five decades, how has the media contributed to supporting PETRONAS' role in Malaysia's nation-building journey?
Over the last five decades, PETRONAS and the Malaysian media have grown alongside the nation. As PETRONAS marks more than 50 years of nation-building and The Star celebrates its 55th anniversary, both organisations, we believe, have played complementary roles in shaping the country's progress.
The media has helped bring Malaysia's story of progress to life. From the establishment of PETRONAS in 1974, which gave Malaysia stewardship over its petroleum resources, to the country's first LNG exports to Japan in 1983 that marked Malaysia's emergence as a major energy exporter, and more recently PETRONAS' continued journey in the energy transition including the launch of Gentari in 2022, responsible journalism has helped Malaysians understand how these milestones contribute to economic growth, energy security and opportunities for the future generations of Malaysia.
Just as importantly, the media has provided context, perspective and constructive scrutiny that support transparency and informed public discourse. What hasn’t changed in 50 years is the nature of that “ask”: get it right, not get it favourable.
What has changed is how fast “right” now has travelled. Through open conversations with the media, we are able not only to share our initiatives and commitments, but also gain valuable insights into the needs and concerns of the communities we serve.
Ultimately, both media and PETRONAS share a common purpose: contributing to societal progress with deepened trust for each other, and helping to build a stronger, more resilient Malaysia.
> In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, what more can media organisations do to better serve the public, foster informed discourse, and contribute to Malaysia's nation-building efforts?
In an era of information abundance, credibility has become more valuable than ever. That abundance now includes AI-generated content, and the question it raises isn’t whether AI can write the story, it’s who still holds the judgment on whether it should be published. That judgment cannot be outsourced to a machine.
Media organisations play an important role in helping people distinguish facts from misinformation and better understand the issues shaping our perspective, as well as the future.
Beyond reporting events, we value that media provide context, explain complexities and help audiences understand how developments affect communities, economies, and the nation as a whole. AI can replace parts of a journalist's workflow, but it will not replace the journalist.
But a journalist working with AI will outpace one working without it. The tool changes the pace of the craft, not the responsibility behind it. By fostering informed discourse, providing perspectives, and highlighting stories that inspire progress – where corporate citizens also share their viewpoints, aspirations and convictions – the media can encourage collaboration across society to collectively support the nation for continued success on the global stage.
> As the world transitions towards a lower-carbon future, how is the company balancing its role as the nation's energy champion while investing in cleaner energy solutions and long-term sustainability?
The energy transition is the way forward, but it must be pursued in a manner that safeguards energy security and affordability. While the world advances towards a lower-carbon future, societies and economies still need reliable energy today.
Our responsibility is therefore twofold: to continue providing the energy that powers everyday lives and economic growth, while investing in solutions that support a more sustainable future. We believe the transition must be practical, orderly and inclusive, balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability. This is also the focus of our PETRONAS Energy Transition Strategy, which is anchored on strengthening our core business, scaling new energy solutions and pursuing a credible pathway to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Our core businesses remain necessary to Malaysia's growth and long-term energy resilience, while providing the foundation to invest in renewables, hydrogen, green mobility, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and other lower-carbon solutions. Our carbon management efforts include advancing large-scale CCS solutions and integrated carbon management services to help decarbonise hard-to-abate industries. At the same time, Gentari is accelerating the growth of renewable energy, hydrogen and green mobility businesses, helping to build the cleaner energy ecosystem needed to support an inclusive energy transition.
We are confident that we are on the right path. Through disciplined investments, strategic planning and a long-term perspective, PETRONAS is evolving to meet changing energy needs while remaining a reliable energy solutions partner for Malaysia and beyond. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure PETRONAS remains resilient, relevant and able to contribute meaningfully to the nation's prosperity and energy security for generations to come.
> As PETRONAS expands its global footprint, how does the company ensure that its operations continue to create lasting value for communities, employees and the environment, while strengthening its social licence to operate?
At PETRONAS, our purpose is to be a progressive energy and solutions partner, enriching lives for a sustainable future. That purpose guides how we operate, whether in Malaysia or around the world.
Creating lasting value goes beyond business performance. It is about how we enrich the lives of those whose paths we cross, from communities and employees to customers and partners. People remain at the heart of what we do. For communities, we invest in education, community well-being and environmental stewardship. For our people, we continue to build future-ready capabilities and create opportunities for growth in an evolving energy landscape. At the same time, we remain committed to responsible operations, environmental protection and strong governance practices.
We believe our shared values, our stories of pride as Malaysians, and our strong bonds are key to the progress we see today. These beliefs are reflected in the stories we share and amplified by the media. Together, we showcase the spirit and strengths of Malaysia. As we expand globally, we are equally mindful that our international growth should strengthen Malaysia's capabilities, develop Malaysian talent, enhance national competitiveness and generate sustainable returns that benefit the nation.
> PETRONAS has maintained a longstanding partnership with the media over the years. How has this relationship evolved, and what role do you see the media playing in helping communicate the company's purpose, aspirations and contributions to Malaysia in the years ahead?
Our relationship with the media has evolved from one centred largely on reporting developments to one built on continuous engagement, dialogue and shared understanding. Today, the media serves as an important bridge between organisations and the public. Through constructive and transparent engagement, media partners help
communicate not only what companies do, but also why it matters to society. At the same time, media insights help us better understand public sentiment, societal expectations and emerging issues. Credible media is an essential pillar of national development and public trust – PETRONAS believes in this and it is the very reason why PETRONAS has been the title sponsor of the MPI-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards since 1994, as MPI's (Malaysian Press Institute) longest-standing strategic partner in recognising journalistic excellence. Looking ahead, the media will play an even more important role in helping Malaysians understand complex issues, manoeuvre changes and concerns, and shape better ways forward amid the advent of technology such as AI. Accurate, contextualised reporting strengthens trust; open, informed discourse promotes progress.
As such, PETRONAS continues to collaborate with MPI to organise the Lunch Escape – a platform that brings together senior media practitioners, communications professionals and industry leaders for peer-to-peer discussions on emerging issues affecting the media and communications landscape.
