KUALA LUMPUR, 15 July 2009 – The semi-submersible rig “NAGA 1”, operated by UMW JDC Drilling Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UMW Group, achieved a remarkable safety record of 9 years and 3 million manhours No Lost Time Incident (LTI) since 6 June 2000.

A special ceremony was held in association with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd at The Malaysian Petroleum Club to celebrate the significant achievement. Present at the event were En Zulkifly Zakaria, Chairman of UMW JDC Drilling Sdn Bhd, Mr Minoru Murata, President and Representative Director of Japan Drilling Co., Ltd. and En Azhar Noordin, Senior General Manager, Group Corporate HSE of PETRONAS.

In his speech during the event, En Zulkifly Zakaria, Chairman, UMW JDC Drilling Sdn Bhd said, “The success of NAGA 1 achieving the 9 years and 3 million manhours with no LTI is the result of both Petronas Carigali’s guidance and encouragement, and UMW JDC Drilling’s serious involvement in promoting Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in our rig operations.  The commitment undertaken by both parties to pursue HSE awareness and to implement HSE programmes, and various safety campaigns in the work place has proven to be very successful”.

UMW’s venture into the oil & gas exploration operations started in 2005 through a joint venture with Japan Drilling Company Ltd for the ownership and operations of a semi-submersible drilling rig, NAGA 1.  Last year, NAGA 1 was successfully refurbished and upgraded.  This enhanced its competitiveness and extended its lifespan so as to maintain its excellent safety track record.