Former Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee has denied that Uzma Bhd received preferential treatment from Petronas.

The once vocal politician, who quit Umno last September, also pointed out that he retired as chairperson of Uzma in July 2018.

“As far as I am concerned, Uzma participated in the tender process and never got special privileges (from Petronas).

“I have been made to understand that Uzma has filed reports with the relevant authorities (over the allegations),” he told Malaysiakini.

Syed Ali was responding to an article published in Sabahkini2.com, which implicated the former Umno man and Uzma.

The article queried whether it is true that certain companies received preferential treatment from Petronas, with scandalous relationships and bribe payments involved.

Earlier today, Petronas said it had filed reports with relevant agencies over the allegations, which it claimed were malicious.

However, Petronas did not name the website.

“With reference to malicious allegations contained in a post in an unverified online site, Petronas wishes to state in the strongest terms that the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue.

"Petronas maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency in all our business dealings, and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who continues to malign the reputation and integrity of the company or its people,” the company said in a statement.

According to its website, Uzma is an international oil and gas service company which provides an array of services to the upstream sector across the exploration, development and production processes, and to the downstream sector for facility and plant construction, operations and maintenance.

The firm, which was established in 2000, said it has worked with more than 50 clients worldwide.