Malaysian Authorities Investigate Petronas Expultion from Chad

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has ordered an immediate investigation into the expulsion of national oil firm Petronas from Chad, reports have said.

Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno on Saturday ordered Petronas and US energy giant ChevronTexaco to leave the country from Sunday for what he said was non-payment of taxes, according to national radio.

Abdullah has ordered Petronas president Hassan Marican to lead the investigation by despatching a team to the African country, the New Straits Times said.

"I have told Hassan to find out in detail as to what transpired," he said. "This is a big surprise to me, (it is) unlikely for a credible company like Petronas to be dragged into such a controversy."