Hassan given rousing send-off at Petronas HQ

 

After 15 years at the helm of Malaysia's biggest company, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican was given a rousing send-off by thousands of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) staff at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Hassan, who clocked out at Petronas for the last time, steered the oil company to being one of the industry's most respected and profitable, with operations in more than 32 countries.

In fact, 45 per cent of the government's revenue comes from Petronas and it paid RM74 billion to the federal and state governments last year.

The accountant who hails from Sungai Petani, Kedah, has asked Petronas staff in an e-mail on Monday to support his successor, Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas, who will start work today.

As the clock neared 5pm yesterday, the crowd started to swell to almost 1,000 at the lobby of the Petronas Twin Towers.

Once the unmistakable grey-haired Hassan appeared from the elevator, cheers erupted from the crowd. Digital cameras and mobile phones flashed away as the retiring president and chief executive officer swiped his electronic identification staff card for the last time at 6.15pm.

Tears flowed freely as the crowd formed a line and cheered. Hassan, who was making his way to his car, stopped to sign autographs, pose for photographs and exchange parting words, with wife Puan Seri Noraini Mohd Yusof beside him.

Some of the staff made placards bearing the words "Selamat Tinggal" (Goodbye) and "Thank You". They also sang the Petronas corporate song, "Petronas Maju Jaya".

Hassan declined to speak to the press, only saying "Okay" when asked how he was feeling.

Petronas Management unit general manager Mohd Rashid Sainal said that Hassan helped transform Petronas into a world-class organisation when he came on board.

"We all love him so much because he walks the talk, is down to earth, demonstrates leadership by example, and is an icon in loyalty, integrity and professionalism," said International Business Unit executive Aftab Ahmed Siyal.