Kuala Lumpur:A witness testified at the Sessions Court today that an email containing confidential operational and financial performance reports for the first quarter of 2024 was sent by former Petronas manager Mohd Khairul Akmal to two senior officials of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Petronas human resources manager, Suhaidah Labu, stated that the email was sent to Petros's CEO, Datuk Janin Girie, and CFO, Mohd Azha Abdul Jalil, on May 10, 2024. The email came to light when Industrial Relations officers contacted her on December 6, 2024, to verify if Mohd Khairul had resigned, as the email included the phrase "I look forward to joining your team." However, she confirmed that his employment records showed no resignation, and he remained an active employee.

Suhaidah, the sixth prosecution witness, confirmed that she had taken possession of Mohd Khairul's laptop, which he handed over voluntarily after being issued a 'Notice of Suspension.' This collection was part of standard human resources procedure for suspended employees to aid further investigations.

The court also heard about Mohd Khairul's strong work performance, being identified as 'Top Talent' at Petronas, with a comprehensive understanding of oil and gas values and the gas value chain. His salary was RM15,000, consistent with Petronas's equity principles, though he had expressed a desire to transfer to Sarawak for family reasons.

During cross-examination, lawyer Louis Liaw Vern Xien, representing Mohd Khairul, questioned the witness's certainty about who authored and sent the email containing the performance report to Petros officials.

Mohd Khairul Akmal, 41, faces charges of attempting to leak the "Q1 2024 Upstream Business Performance Operational and Financial" document to Petros while serving as a Business Unit Performance Manager at Petronas. The alleged offense took place at a condominium on Jalan Pinang between 319 pm and 321 pm on June 8, 2024.

The charge falls under Section 203A(1) of the Penal Code, in conjunction with Section 511, and carries a potential penalty of six months' imprisonment, a RM1 million fine, or both, upon conviction. The trial, presided over by Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid, will continue on November 18.