Shell Malaysia plans to open over 20 new petrol stations this year to maintain its leadership in the fuel retail segment.

Managing director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, Datuk Azman Ismail, said to-date, one-third of the planned new petrol pumps had been opened and the rest would follow before year-end.

"We will open as many stations as we can to maintain our position as the number one fuel retailer in terms of market share," he told reporters after officiating at Shell's 125 years establishment in Malaysia celebration here
today.

Currently, Shell Malaysia has over 900 petrol stations nationwide.

The celebration kicked-off with Celebrating 125 Years art project involving eight artists including 'Kampung Boy' cartoon creator Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid or famously known as Datuk Lat.

The eight artists will develop 15 murals at selected shell stations nationwide which will reflect the society's common values: diversity, unity, respect and inclusiveness.

Azman said the art project was also part of Shell's three-year transformation programme -- Welcome to Shell, which focused on the improvement of services at Shell petrol stations.

He said the programme launched last year was aimed at making Shell as the benchmark of hospitality for road users in Malaysia by 2018.