A PETRONAS human resources manager told the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today that she could not confirm who actually wrote and sent an email containing the company’s first-quarter 2024 operational and financial performance report to two Petros executives.
Suhaidah Labu, 42, said she had seen the email, which was allegedly sent by former Petronas senior manager Mohd Khairul Akmal Mohd Jasni to Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) chief executive officer Datuk Janin Girie and chief financial officer Mohd Azha Abdul Jalil.
However, during cross-examination by defence lawyer Louis Liaw Vern Xien, the prosecution’s sixth witness agreed that she did not know who had composed the email or pressed the send button.
Louis: But who actually wrote the email and then pressed send, you do not know?
Suhaidah: Yes, that is correct, I am not certain.
Earlier, Suhaidah said the email was shown to her by Industrial Relations officers Jumsuri Basri and Zatil ‘Ismah Azmi on Dec 6, 2024, when they sought confirmation of Mohd Khairul Akmal’s employment status.
She said the email contained the phrase, “I look forward to joining your team”, prompting her to check Petronas’ records.
“After checking his records in the system, there was no record of resignation and he was still an active Petronas employee,” she said.
Suhaidah was testifying in the trial of Mohd Khairul Akmal, 41, who is accused of attempting to disclose Petronas’ Q1 2024 Upstream Business Performance Operational and Financial document to Petros.
She said a suspension notice was subsequently issued against the accused to facilitate further investigations, and he was asked to surrender the company laptop registered in his name.
“I confirm that I took the laptop, but it was not seized. Mohd Khairul Akmal surrendered the laptop voluntarily after an explanation regarding the suspension notice was given to him.
“During the suspension, he was not allowed to enter any company premises and was also prohibited from accessing the company’s systems without the company’s approval,” she said.
Suhaidah also described Mohd Khairul Akmal as a high-performing employee categorised as “Top Talent” among Petronas staff in the finance department.
“He also has extensive knowledge and understanding of the factors influencing oil and gas values and the gas value chain.
“The RM15,000 salary received by Mohd Khairul Akmal was based on Petronas’ Internal Equity principle for a managerial position,” she said.
During cross-examination, Suhaidah agreed that her assertion in her witness statement that the email had been sent by Mohd Khairul Akmal to Janin and Azha was based on the email exhibit before the court.
She also agreed that after she informed Jumsuri that there was no record of the accused’s resignation, further investigation into who sent the email fell under Jumsuri’s jurisdiction.
The prosecution is being conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Syafina Mohd Radzuan.
The trial before Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid will resume on Nov 18. - September 25, 2026
