KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has refuted speculation that Datuk Mohd Anuar Taib, who is the executive vice president and CEO of upstream business, has resigned from the national oil firm.

In a statement today, Petronas reiterated that Anuar Taib remains in his position where he heads the upstream business.

The national oil firm’s statement came after The New Straits Times, quoting sources, reported that Anuar, 51, has resigned from Petronas due to personal reasons. Later, an announcement on Friday that Anuar was stepping down as chairman of Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) added fuel to the speculation.

PetGas announced to Bursa Malaysia that it has appointed Anuar's colleague Adif Zulkifli to take up the chairmanship, effective next month. Adif, 49, is currently the executive vice president and chief executive officer of the gas and new energy business division in Petronas.

PetGas explained in a filing to Bursa Malaysia that the manpower movement is the result of "internal reorganisation".

The appointment of Adif, said PetGas, is in line with the internal reorganisation of Petronas, whereby PetGas is now under the portfolio of the Gas & New Energy Business.
Adif, it added, is responsible for Petronas' mid-stream gas assets, liquefied natural gas (LNG) marketing, and new energy.

Anuar built his career in the oil & gas industry in the international oil major Shell. He was the vice president of Shell Upstream International Asia and chairman of Shell Malaysia before he joined Petronas as the senior vice president of Petronas Upstream in 2012.