ASHGABAT: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has praised the contributions of Malaysians in Turkmenistan, most of whom are working in the Central Asian nation’s oil and gas industry.
At a dinner with some 80 members of the Malaysian diaspora in Turkmenistan’s capital here on Sunday night, Dr Mahathir said that he is proud of the capabilities of foreign-based Malaysians; and invited them to lend a hand to develop their own country when they return home.
“Their country is always on their minds, even when they are working abroad. And when they return home, they contribute their expertise. (With) their contributions, Malaysia will be a developed nation and no more a developing one.
“We need to work hard to excel in all fields so that we can contribute towards the country’s modernisation, and the world’s in general,” he was quoted by Bernama as saying.
Dr Mahathir, who is on a two-day official visit to natural gas-rich Turkmenistan, is accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah; and Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
The Prime Minister also lauded Petronas for its achievements in developing the oil and gas industry, both in Malaysia and in countries such as Turkmenistan.
He said Petronas – specifically its talented employees – have earned global recognition for its ability to operate in various parts of the world.
“Today, the world recognises Petronas as a giant in the field of oil and gas,” Dr Mahathir said.
Petronas has been operating in Turkmenistan since 1996 after it obtained a 32-year Production Sharing Contract (PSC) licence for exploration and production of oil and gas in the Block-1 offshore area of the Caspian Sea.