By AFIQ AZIZ / Pic TMR

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) president and CEO Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (picture)  has the strong backing of his staff, with some 13,000 union members calling for him to remain amid rumours of his removal from the hot seat.

In a statement yesterday, the Joint Union of TNB Workers (KPPPTNB) said the call was made following speculation that Amir Hamzah may be removed from the post for unknown reasons.

KPPPTNB president Othman Alias said he found it “uncanny” that Amir Hamzah’s fate is being postulated publicly, giving rise to uncertainty within the group and its employees.

“Our working committee has decided that Amir Hamzah has been very cooperative and is always willing to discuss and share his thoughts about the company’s performance.

“He has also shown his concern for employees during this difficult time, and has been willing to approve special allowances to TNB frontline employees during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Othman said.

“As such, we call for the 13,000 union members to remain calm and not respond to this rumour. KPPPTNB will continuously support Amir Hamzah as the president and CEO,” he added.

With 13,000 members, KPPPTNB represents half of the staff working in the utility company.

Amir Hamzah came on board on April 2, 2019, succeeding Datuk Seri Azman Mohd who resigned on March 31. The former UEM Edgenta Bhd chairman was appointed to the post on a three-year contract. His tenure will come to an end by March 2022.

Amir Hamzah started his career within the Shell Group of Cos , where he served in various capacities for 10 years. Industry observers viewed his appointment positively, saying that Amir Hamzah’s 28-year experience in the oil and gas and marine logistics sectors would benefit TNB. However, rumours are rife that several top posts at the government-linked companies would see changes as those appointments were made under the Pakatan Harapan ruling.

In May, TNB named Umno VP Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as its chairman, replacing Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir who was appointed as the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chairman beginning May 1, 2020.

Ahmad Badri, who was former Treasury secretary-general, only served TNB for two months. He replaced TNB long-serving chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie following the latter’s retirement on March 12.

Former Federal Minister Leo Moggie, 78, was first appointed to the post in 2004. Last year, his contract was extended for one year until March 11, 2020.