KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has launched into action to ensure the safety of its workers who have been left stranded on an oil rig in the Andaman Sea following the military coup in Myanmar this week.
Petronas, in a statement today, said it is in close contact with the team and is working closely with the contractor in overseeing the well-being of the affected workers.
"Petronas is extending the necessary efforts to ensure the safety of about 155 workers of its contractor on barge to the Yetagun oil rig, located off the coast of Myanmar.
"Petronas reassures that it is in close contact with the team and working closely with the contractor in overseeing the well-being of their workers and ensuring continuous supplies of essentials, including food, drinking water and fuel.
"Another 36 workers under the contractor and two Petronas employees were already transported to nearby hotels safely for onshore rest and recovery while observing Covid-19 quarantine requirements," read the statement.
The national oil company said it is also working closely with its contractor, the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar, Wisma Putra and all relevant authorities.
"The safety and well-being of our contractors and their families are our utmost priority," it said.
A Malay daily had reported that some 200 workers at the oil rig lost contact with the Malaysian embassy since Monday.
The report also quoted a worker, who has been on the platform for four months. He told the Malay daily that he was concerned over their declining food and gas supplies, which are only expected to last at least until Wednesday (Feb 10).
According to the same report, all workers were hired by a contractor working for Petronas and that they were required to stay longer out at sea than the usual period of 40 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic.