PETRONAS Flow
23/12/2020 • 3 mins read
Finding a firm footing in the new norm
Zahariah Liza Abdul Rahman
Finding a firm footing in the new norm
Many unexpected events have taken place since we published the last issue of FLOW. We are now dealing with the double whammy of the depressed oil price and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, as governments and international organisations are rallying resources towards combating COVID-19, deemed the worst public health crisis of our generation, PETRONAS too has stepped forward to contribute towards this cause.
The most heartening gesture came from 9,500 employees of PETRONAS who donated a portion of their salary raising RM6.4 million for the Tabung COVID-19 under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). This is in addition to contributions made by PETRONAS, its business operating units, subsidiaries and associates in Malaysia and other countries where we operate. These stories and many more noble gestures are captured in this issue’s centrespread story.
One thing we can learn from past crises is that the human spirit will prevail and opportunities will arise.
Thus, amid the challenges we face, FLOW continues to bring uplifting stories of passionate women and men, masters of their craft who strive to make a difference in their fields. Our cover story features the “white coats” behind the Fluid Technology SolutionsTM (FTS) that played a major role in Mercedes- AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team's unprecedented six consecutive double title victory. We learn about the trials and tribulations that our scientists and chemists overcame to cement PETRONAS’ position as a trusted Technical Partner as well as the new challenge presented to them to make motorsports a “greener” affair.
Our story on the New Plastics Economy (NPE) explores PETRONAS’ own NPE initiative, supporting the Malaysian government’s vision to create an ecosystem where plastic waste can be channelled back to the value chain infinitely, transforming plastic wastes into plastic resources.
Next, we spoke to the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI), Giuseppe D’Arrigo on the development of fluids for electric vehicles (EV). Having wrapped up the EV Symposium organised by his team in Turin last year, we learned more about the growing EV market and the potential it holds.
To wrap up, FLOW held a conversation with PETRONAS Vice President of Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Dzafri Sham Ahmad on the company’s new Sustainability Agenda, discussing what PETRONAS hopes to achieve, the challenges in its way and where the energy industry is heading as sustainability takes centrestage.
As the world faces an unprecedented common threat, let’s remember that we, collectively, have the strength to pull through during these difficult times. Our stories in FLOW aim to paint a picture of hope and inspiration for the coming years. As the saying goes, this too shall pass.
#WeWishYouWell
Thank you and stay safe!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Zahariah (Liza) Abdul Rahman
