PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli today urged minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, to clarify his exact role in salvaging the US$7 billion (RM31 billion) deal between Petronas and Saudi Aramco.

At a press conference, Rafizi referred to Rahman's reported remarks last Saturday that he was at the right place and the right time when the deal did not progress as expected.

"The remarks give an impression that there was interference (in finalising the deal) and raise several key questions," the Pandan MP said.

Rafizi therefore urged Rahman to clarify whether he had "forced" Petronas to change its mind on the joint-venture to develop the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor.

He also questioned the reasons behind Saudi Aramco's change of stand, despite Rahman's admittance that the negotiations which went on for about two years, had stalled. 

"I would like to know in which areas of the deal exactly that you have interfered in," he said.

In making the call, Rafizi pointed out that he had been extremely cautious to not make too many statements over past deals involving Petronas, noting that the company had stringent measures to avoid any political interferences in its decision-making processes.

He also credited the development of his personal career as a chartered accountant to professional training received while working in Petronas. 

Asked for comments on Petronas' reported defence of the deal, Rafizi merely said it was an expected move and promised to raise further questions later this week.

English-daily The Malay Mail today  quoted Petronas group executive vice-president Md Arif Mahmood as saying that Petronas was "never forced into the joint venture" and had always been eyeing a partner like Aramco.