PETRONAS launched a nationwide Tender Clinic and Integrity Advocacy initiative to increase local vendors’ bidding capability and awareness on the Company’s policies on integrity and governance.

The event, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recently, was broadcast live to about 300 participants in Bintulu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Kertih and Pengerang.

The sessions were part of PETRONAS’ efforts to give focus on increasing participation in competitive tenders from companies in the respective states.

PETRONAS awards contracts via tenders, based on meritocracy, and priority goes to capable local vendors in their respective work scope.

PETRONAS vice president of Group Procurement Samsudin Miskon and PETRONAS chief integrity officer Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob officiated the programme.

In his speech, Samsudin said that as the Oil & Gas Service and Equipment (OGSE) industry consolidates to fit the new realities in the energy sector, the future belongs to those with the capability and endurance to weather the challenging times in the industry.

‘’Local vendors need to be agile and capable to stay relevant and sustainable.

“It is in PETRONAS’ interest to receive many high-quality tender submissions both technically and commercially, to promote healthy competition among these vendors,’’ he added.

Datuk Rohaizad, said that it is equally important to do things well, and to do it right, with complete integrity.

“PETRONAS has always treated merit, governance and integrity as its utmost priority in everything it does, with zero tolerance to corruption.

“With Malaysia placing more importance on anti-corruption and corporate liability, it is imperative for vendors to comply with all applicable integrity and governance,” he said.

He added that the consequences of non-compliance are grave to the vendors, their companies, PETRONAS and the nation.

Participating vendors expressed appreciation for the insightful session and commended PETRONAS' effort to conduct the clinics on a quarterly basis.

The consensus among the participants was for PETRONAS to continue organising such a programme as it would provide more awareness and clarity on PETRONAS’ tendering process and policies on governance and integrity.

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