KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): Petra Energy Bhd has appointed Datuk Seri Sulong Matjeraie as its new independent non-executive director and chairman, effective today.

“We are pleased to welcome Sulong to the board, and are confident that his depth of experience will certainly enhance the strength of the Board in guiding us towards successes.

“His appointment prepares Petra Energy for board succession and will also strengthen independent representation on the board,” said Datuk Anthony Bujang, group chief executive officer of Petra Energy, in a press release today.

Sulong also holds directorships in Sona Petroleum Bhd, Brahim’s Holdings Bhd, Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd and Southern Acids (M) Bhd.

Sulong has spent about 19 years in the Sarawak Civil Service from 1964, and has held various positions such as the administration and finance manager at the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corp in 1977, and the general manager of the Bintulu Development Authority in Bintulu from 1980 to 1983.

He left the civil service in 1983 and had set up his own legal firm, Sulong Matjeraie & Co, in Kuching, Sarawak, but left the firm in 2000.

Sulong has also served in various judicial positions in Sarawak, Johor and Sabah since 1998, before being appointed as a Court of Appeal Judge from 2007 to 2012, and as a Federal Court Judge in 2012 up to January last year.

He was later appointed to serve in the Judicial Appointments Commission, for a period of two years from Feb 10, 2013.