Bintulu LNG Threat: What We Know So Far About the Petronas Security Alert

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Bintulu LNG threat: Petronas LNG facility in Sarawak
Bintulu LNG – Petronas pics

Notice

This is a developing story. Information is current as of 11th September 2025, and details may change as new updates become available.

On 8th September 2025, Malaysia was shaken when the National Security Council (MKN) announced that it had received a report concerning threats to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities around Malaysia, particularly in Bintulu, Sarawak.1

This is what has been confirmed so far:

Table Of Contents
  1. Bintulu LNG Threat: What We Know So Far
  2. What were the demands?
  3. Who Is Behind the Threat?
  4. Why the Bintulu LNG Facility Matters
  5. Sarawak Government Reaction
  6. Has Malaysia Informed the Indonesian Government?
  7. Looking Ahead

Bintulu LNG Threat: What We Know So Far

In September 2025, a Petronas officer stationed at Bintulu LNG received SMS messages threatening to attack LNG facilities. The threats, reportedly sent from an Indonesian-registered number, warned that Malaysia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure would be burned if certain demands were not met.2

The targeted site, the Bintulu LNG complex, has an annual capacity of 29.3 million metric tons and is one of the largest LNG export terminals globally. While no attacks have occurred and operations remain unaffected, the incident has raised questions about the security of Malaysia’s critical energy infrastructure and the potential consequences of disruption at one of the world’s most important LNG hubs.

Malaysia’s National Security Council (MKN) immediately ordered tighter security at LNG facilities across Sarawak, while police began investigating the source of the messages.

Petronas confirmed receiving the threats against its Bintulu LNG facility but assured that LNG production and exports remain uninterrupted.3

What were the demands?

As of 11th September 2025, no details of the demands have been disclosed publicly by the government. The nature of the “request,” who it was addressed to, or what the sender wanted in exchange has not been revealed.

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof stated that the sender “asked for an answer,” and when no response was given, threatened to burn down LNG facilities.4

“I was informed that threatening text messages were received, originating from a phone number in Indonesia. However, who was behind it is still under police investigation,”

“He asked for an answer but because there was no response, he threatened to burn our LNG – but who knows which one,” – Fadillah Yusof

Who Is Behind the Threat?

As of now, the perpetrator remains unknown. The number was traced to an Indonesian phone line, but this does not confirm the nationality of the sender as it could be a diversion tactic.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is working to trace the origin of the message, including determining whether the number genuinely originated from Indonesia or was spoofed to conceal its actual source and routing.5

However, what we know so far is that the perpetrator had done some homework. They knew that the recipient of the SMS was working at the Bintulu LNG complex, had access to their phone number, and were aware of their workplace. This suggests that the perpetrator may have conducted basic OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence), gathering information through social media or networking platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn, where details like names, phone numbers, email addresses, workplaces, and job titles are often publicly available.

Related post: Bintulu LNG Threat: Why One SMS Sparked a National Security Alert

Why the Bintulu LNG Facility Matters

Bintulu LNG from Google Earth

The Bintulu LNG complex is one of the largest LNG facilities in the world. With nearly 30 million tons per year in output, Bintulu supplies a significant share of the Asia-Pacific LNG market. Any disruption could ripple through international markets, potentially pushing prices higher.

The facility, operated by Petronas, is the backbone of Malaysia’s LNG exports, supplying key markets such as Japan, South Korea, and China. Beyond economics, LNG revenues are crucial for Malaysia’s fiscal stability. A successful attack would not only harm exports but also undermine investor confidence.

Petronas has confirmed that operations remain unaffected and stated that it is cooperating closely with authorities to assess and address the risk.

However, even the perception of risk at Bintulu LNG could influence global LNG dynamics. Japan and South Korea, heavily dependent on Malaysian LNG, are likely watching the situation closely. As LNG becomes a battleground in global energy security, threats like this underscore how supply chains can be vulnerable to both terrorism and criminal activity.

Even so, the perception of risk at Bintulu LNG could influence global LNG dynamics. Japan and South Korea, both heavily reliant on Malaysian LNG, are likely monitoring the situation closely. As LNG increasingly emerges as a focal point in global energy security, threats like this highlight how supply chains can be vulnerable to terrorism, cybercrime, or criminal activity.

Sarawak Government Reaction

Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, stated that he was not informed of the incident by the federal government and only learned about it through media reports. He is also the chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN).6

This suggests that state leadership was not initially briefed. He emphasized that Sarawak expects concrete measures to protect national assets, particularly critical infrastructure like LNG facilities. The Sarawak government has requested further information from the National Security Council (MKN).

Has Malaysia Informed the Indonesian Government?

Since the SMS was sent from an Indonesian-registered number, questions have arisen about whether Malaysia has informed the Indonesian government. As of now, there is no credible public information confirming any cross-border communication or diplomatic notification to Jakarta.

The Sarawak Deputy Premier also reiterated that he and the state government only learned of the incident via the media, underscoring that information flow may still be limited or incomplete.

Looking Ahead

While no attacks have occurred and operations remain unaffected, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of Malaysia’s critical LNG infrastructure. It also highlights the importance of coordinated security measures and timely communication between federal and state authorities. Authorities continue to investigate the source of the threat, and stakeholders worldwide are monitoring the situation closely, reflecting the broader implications for energy security and global LNG markets.

  1. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOVxJ-Skqm-/ ↩︎
  2. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/malaysia-deputy-pm-says-petronas-received-threat-burn-lng-facilities-state-media-2025-09-09/ ↩︎
  3. https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/769691 ↩︎
  4. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/malaysia-deputy-pm-says-petronas-received-threat-burn-lng-facilities ↩︎
  5. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/09/09/cops-tracing-suspect-who-sent-sms-threatening-bintulu-lng-facility-says-cid-director ↩︎
  6. https://www.bernama.com/en/region/news.php?id=2465636 ↩︎
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