KUCHING: Deputy Works Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, has suggested that Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) consider providing additional dividends to the government.
Ahmad said that in 2025, the national oil and gas company paid RM32 billion in dividends to the government, but this year the payout has dropped significantly to RM20 billion.
He added that PETRONAS recorded a net profit of RM45.4 billion in 2025, representing an 18 per cent decline from RM55.1 billion in 2024.
Meanwhile, the group’s revenue stood at RM266.1 billion, down 17 per cent from RM320 billion in 2024.
“Given the net profit of RM45.4 billion, the dividend distributed is only RM20 billion.
“I therefore propose that at least an additional RM5 billion be given,” he told a press conference during his official working visit to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) here today (April 8).
However, Ahmad noted that PETRONAS has stated in previous announcements that it requires capital for new exploration activities worldwide, including potentially in Sarawak.
“Therefore, they would want to utilise the net profit for such purposes. Nevertheless, during difficult times such as the COVID-19 period, PETRONAS contributed as much as RM50 billion in dividends to the government – the highest ever.
“Now, we are again facing challenging times. The government previously stated that fuel subsidy costs in February were only RM700 million, but recently these have surged to nearly RM4 billion.
“That means the additional RM3 billion – where will the government source it from? The contingency allocation in the budget is only RM2 billion.
“In my view, PETRONAS could defer its plans for new exploration and instead channel the surplus dividends to assist the government during this difficult period.
“This is my view as a former Deputy Finance Minister,” he said.
Ahmad also outlined seven suggestions, including encouraging companies, agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) to provide incentives to employees who help reduce fuel consumption through carpooling, public transport use, cycling, or motorcycling.
He further proposed that public transportation services such as LRT, MRT, railways, monorail, ETS and ERL offer special discounts to encourage greater usage.
In addition, he suggested that supermarkets organise special ‘Membantu Rakyat’ sales by sourcing goods in bulk through systematic supply chains to offer lower prices.
He also stressed the need to clamp down on hoarding, arbitrary price hikes, leakages of subsidised goods and smuggling, with strict enforcement and maximum penalties publicised through the media.
Furthermore, Ahmad proposed granting Variation of Price (VOP) or Extension of Time (EOT) to contractors affected by rising construction material costs to prevent layoffs of local workers and ensure project continuity.
Lastly, he called for direct purchasing from fishermen, farmers, breeders and smallholders for essential food items such as fish, vegetables, chicken, rice and meat to reduce costs by eliminating middlemen.
“These are my personal suggestions. I am speaking seriously, as sometimes I see a lack of constructive proposals out there, with many simply criticising without offering solutions,” he said.
