Malaysia names new chief for state oil co Petronas

Malaysia on Wednesday named a new head for state oil giant Petronas to replace gritty veteran Hassan Merican who turned the firm into a global powerhouse and resisted government demands on its revenues.

The government named Shamsul Azhar Abbas, 57, from Petronas [PETR.UL] shipping subsidiary MISC (MISC.KL) as chief executive officer effective Feb.10, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a statement on Wednesday.