Former PETRONAS manager accused of leaking confidential reports

A former PETRONAS manager sent confidential operational and financial reports to two senior executives at Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) in an email dated May 10, 2024, according to testimony presented in court. The Sessions Court heard from Suhaidah Labu, PETRONAS’ human resources manager, who confirmed she reviewed the email after industrial relations officers flagged it in December. The message included a line expressing a desire to “join your team,” though PETRONAS records showed the sender, Mohd Khairul Akmal, had not resigned.

Labu stated that the email contained the Q1 2024 Upstream Business Performance Operational & Financial report, sent to Petros CEO Datuk Janin Girie and CFO Mohd Azha Abdul Jalil. She clarified that the email was not part of routine communication, as Khairul remained an active employee. The prosecution alleges he attempted to disclose confidential information on June 8, 2024, at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.

During testimony, Labu also described standard procedures for handling employee devices. She confirmed that Khairul voluntarily handed over his laptop after receiving a suspension notice, allowing authorities to investigate further. The device was collected under PETRONAS’ internal protocols for suspended staff, she said.

Despite the allegations, Labu noted Khairul’s strong performance record. He was classified as top talent in PETRONAS’ finance division and had expertise in oil and gas valuation. His base salary of RM15,000 aligned with internal pay scales for his role, though he had previously expressed a verbal preference for a transfer to Sarawak, citing family ties.

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Under cross-examination, Labu admitted uncertainty about who actually sent the email. Defense lawyer Louis Liaw Vern Xien pressed her on whether she could confirm Khairul’s direct involvement in transmitting the report. The prosecution has not yet established definitive proof of his intent behind the disclosure.

The case hinges on whether Khairul knowingly shared confidential data with Petros. If convicted under Section 203A(1) of the Penal Code, he faces up to six months in prison, a fine of RM1 million, or both. The trial resumes on November 18 before Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid.

Khairul’s defense may focus on whether the email was sent intentionally or if procedural lapses at PETRONAS contributed to the leak. If found guilty, the ruling could set a precedent for how internal communications are monitored, particularly for employees with access to sensitive financial and operational data. The outcome may also influence PETRONAS’ policies on data security and intercompany communications.