Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by enduser

5 strokes, go appeal.mana tau 7 more

enduser — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:43:14 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...kes-of-the-cane

Drug trafficker loses appeal, gets 7 more strokes of the cane

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of a trader for trafficking 213.59g of methamphetamine and increased his sentence of whipping from five strokes to the statutory minimum of 12.
Justice Lim Hock Leng said the High Court in Kota Kinabalu erred by imposing only five strokes of the cane, contrary to Section 39B(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which mandates life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes where the death penalty is not imposed.

“The sentence of five strokes of whipping is hereby set aside and substituted with an order of 12 strokes of whipping,” he said in a 20-page judgment allowing the prosecution’s cross-appeal on sentence.

Caning is reserved for men under 50 who are spared when the court exercises its discretion to impose a jail term.

Justices Choo Kah Sing, who chaired the panel, and Radzi Abdul Hamid also heard the appeal.

The court also unanimously dismissed Leong Kwang Yew’s appeal against his conviction and upheld his sentence of life imprisonment, which under the law means 30 years’ imprisonment.

“We find the conviction of the appellant to be safe and accordingly affirm it,” Lim said.

Leong, 49, who has one more round of appeal in the Federal Court, committed the offence at a unit on the second floor of Block B, Jesselton Condominium, Jalan Bersatu, Damai, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu on Sept 11, 2018.

Under the Act, possession of 50g or more of methamphetamine gives rise to a legal presumption of trafficking.

No merit in grounds of appeal

The appellate court found no merit in the three grounds raised by Leong: that the statutory caution was improperly administered, that other individuals had access to the bedroom drawer where the drugs were found, and that the trial judge failed to specify whether possession was actual or presumed when calling for his defence.

The judges held that the caution was administered properly and that Leong understood it with an interpreter’s assistance.

After being cautioned, Leong informed the police that additional drugs were kept at his condominium and led officers to his bedroom. He opened a bedside drawer and handed over a plastic bag containing two packets of methamphetamine.

The court said this conduct demonstrated actual knowledge and possession of the drugs. It also noted that the drawer contained Leong’s personal belongings, including a photograph of him and his wife and an electricity bill, making it improbable that the drugs belonged to someone else.

The judges rejected his claim that family members and workers had access to the room, finding no evidence that they routinely stored items in the drawer where the drugs were discovered. They also found no basis for the allegation that the police had framed him.

On the issue of possession, the court ruled that the trial judge’s failure to specify whether possession was actual or presumed at the close of the prosecution’s case did not result in prejudice or miscarriage of justice.

Lawyer Dominic Chew represented Leong, while deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob appeared for the prosecution.

Election this year!

enduser — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:10:35 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ound-the-corner

Zahid urges BN to close ranks as GE16 ‘just around the corner’

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has warned members the coalition faces its biggest battle yet, with a general election “just around the corner”.

On BN’s 52nd anniversary today, Zahid urged coalition members to remain united if it hopes to gain a stronger mandate.

“Believe me, the journey ahead will not always be easy. We will face many battles, leading up to the biggest battle – the general election, which is just around the corner,” he said in a Facebook post.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he might consider snap polls if tensions within the unity government worsened, although the general election is only due by February 2028, while the ongoing Iran conflict is also expected to weigh on Malaysia’s economic outlook.

Zahid described BN as a political coalition founded on the spirit of understanding, moderation, and cooperation among Malaysians of different races and backgrounds.

He said the coalition had gone through various phases over the past five decades, from leading the country through growth and development to facing setbacks that tested its resilience.

Zahid said BN must continue embracing renewal while drawing on its experience to remain relevant in an increasingly complex political landscape.

He also said voters today wanted mature politics, responsible leadership, and practical solutions to contemporary challenges, requiring BN to adapt to changing expectations and future demands.

Tomorrow hailat can try B15

enduser — Sun, 31 May 2026 13:41:42 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...energy-security

B15 biodiesel rollout starts tomorrow, to strengthen energy security

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to enter a new phase in its energy transition amid a global supply crisis, with the biodiesel blend rate in Peninsular Malaysia to be gradually raised from B10 to B15 starting Monday, June 1.

The move by the government in the face of global energy market volatility is aimed not only at reducing reliance on imported fossil diesel, but is also seen as a two-pronged strategy to enhance energy security and increase demand for locally produced palm oil.

The implementation will see B15 biodiesel comprising 15% palm oil-based biodiesel, known as Palm Methyl Ester (PME), and 85% petroleum diesel, compared with the existing B10 blend of 10% PME, without requiring engine modifications for most diesel vehicles.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said the government was targeting biodiesel production in stages as an initial step before the blend rate is increased according to market suitability and industry capabilities.

He said that by-products from the palm oil industry, including sludge from crude palm oil production, have the potential to be used in biodiesel and aviation fuel production, creating a new value chain in the country’s commodity sector.

Zahid also views biodiesel as a new catalyst for the rural economy, through the involvement of agencies such as the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra), the central Terengganu development authority (Ketengah) and the south Kelantan development authority (Kesedar).

The government has assured that the implementation will be carried out in a planned manner, taking into account the country’s palm oil supply capacity, industrial preparedness and existing infrastructure.

Plantation and commodities minister Noraini Ahmad said palm oil usage for B15 implementation is estimated at around 0.8 million tonnes annually, significantly lower than the domestic supply surplus of about four million tonnes per year.

As such, she emphasised that the implementation will not affect the country’s palm oil exports, which currently stand at around 16 million tonnes per year.

Meanwhile, University Putra Malaysia biorefinery complex head Hidayah Ariffin said higher biodiesel usage could extend the country’s diesel stockpiling period and help ensure supply stability if the global energy crisis linked to the West Asia conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran persists.

Concerns over the suitability of biodiesel for vehicles are also being addressed by the government, with economy minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir assuring that there are no issues with engine specifications, as Malaysia’s vehicle standards already provide for biodiesel blends of up to B20 since 2020.

Akmal Nasrullah said the use of B20 has already been introduced in several areas, including Langkawi, Labuan and Sarawak, without any major issues that could be cited in relation to alleged engine damage.

The National Biodiesel Programme began with B5 in 2011 before being expanded to B7 in 2014, followed by B10 and B20 in stages between 2019 and 2020.

Malaysia currently has 19 licensed biodiesel plants capable of supporting the implementation of B15 and the government’s long-term plans to raise the blend rate to B20, B30 and potentially B50, in line with the national green agenda.

In addition, the use of biodiesel produced from renewable sources is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Malaysia’s commitment to low-carbon development and a more sustainable energy transition.

Jail, fine rm20k if abuse budi95

enduser — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:50:42 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...di95-warns-govt

Jail time, RM20,000 fine await those who abuse BUDI95, warns govt

PETALING JAYA: The finance ministry has warned Malaysians against allowing others to use their MyKad to access RON95 petrol subsidies, as this is an offence punishable by jail time and a heavy fine.
The ministry said the use or possession of another person’s MyKad without lawful authority is a serious offence under Regulation 25 of the National Registration Regulations 1990.

“If convicted, a person may be fined up to RM20,000, sentenced to a maximum three years in prison, or both,” it said in a statement today.

The Treasury also urged petrol station operators to tighten SOP compliance for transactions under the BUDI95 scheme, particularly regarding MyKad verification.

Operators have also been ordered to investigate transactions where SOP breaches have been identified so that action is taken on the stations involved.

“Any manual transaction performed without prior physical MyKad verification is not permitted as this allows for unauthorised transactions and abuse of the RON95 subsidy,” it said.

The ministry said BUDI95 recipients may check their record of transactions at the initiative’s portal and are advised to file police reports if they discover unauthorised transactions.

Under BUDI95, eligible Malaysians may purchase RON95 at a subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre, with a monthly quota of 200 litres currently.

The current price of unsubsidised RON95 is RM3.92 per litre.

Thailand EV backlash

enduser — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:03:23 +0800

[YOUTUBE]hW-oGwPyAEM?si=qeT0KXtL1JFc9g5J[/YOUTUBE]

Professional workshop review

enduser — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:44:36 +0800

[YOUTUBE]Bm8OJKfpc0k?si=qfjq3twZ4740TOr-[/YOUTUBE]

Come join this Sunday important event

enduser — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:10:27 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ction-on-sunday

Rafizi, Nik Nazmi to unveil ‘new political direction’ on Sunday

PETALING JAYA: Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are expected to announce their “new political direction” on Sunday.

In a post on X today, Rafizi said both of them had taken time to carefully consider various views and factors in determining the next chapter of their political journey.

“I welcome Malaysians from across the country and from all walks of life who wish to advance a progressive political movement to join us at this event,” he said.

The public event, which is also expected to be livestreamed, is scheduled to take place at the PJ Performing Arts Centre at 2pm.

In a separate post on X, Nik Nazmi said Malaysians needed politics that was progressive, moderate, and truly people-centred.

“Come, let’s rebuild hope for Malaysia!” he said.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned as economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, respectively, in May 2025.

This came after Rafizi lost the PKR deputy president’s post to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the party elections. His running mate, Nik Nazmi, also failed to retain his vice-presidency.

In April, Rafizi said he would decide on forming a new political party within the next two months, adding it would not be a unilateral decision.

He had also said he was still looking into the best way to push for reforms, whether within the party or outside of it.

Rafizi’s ties with the PKR leadership turned frosty after the PKR polls in May 2025 and he has been publicly critical of the government and the party since.

He claimed that PKR was seeking to force a by-election in his constituency, after multiple calls were made for him to resign over his criticism of the government and the party.

Rafizi has hinted at leaving PKR after Parliament is dissolved and to defend his Pandan seat.

He survived an attempt to remove him as Pandan PKR chief at the division’s annual general meeting in April. Forty-two division members voted against the motion to sack or suspend him as Pandan PKR chief – just eight more than the 34 who were for it.

Syabas anak muda

enduser — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:43:43 +0800

In relation to this thread
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5564178&hl=

[YOUTUBE]Z7OuYAfVAUc?si=ReULHW2bJFHQi5sz[/YOUTUBE]

PKR's student wing loses confidence in PMX

enduser — Sun, 10 May 2026 23:02:06 +0800

https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/774801

PKR's student wing loses confidence in Anwar's leadership of party

The majority of committee members from PKR’s student wing Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia (MKM) announced that they have lost confidence in the party under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim.

In an official statement to Malaysiakini, the student wing said the decision was reached after an assessment of the party’s direction, which it believes has drifted further from its original reformist spirit.

Thx madani,NUMed is save for now

enduser — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:16:57 +0800

Continuation of NUMed thread
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry112957869

Health ministry ready to take in all 850 NUMed students for local housemanship

PETALING JAYA: The health ministry has offered to place all 850 Malaysian medical students at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) in local housemanship training after changes in UK policy affected their chances of getting National Health Service (NHS) foundation programme placements.
Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the students could be placed at 48 training hospitals nationwide, and their degrees remain recognised under the Medical Act 1971, Berita Harian reported.

“We understand the disappointment among students regarding the policy change in the UK. You will not be stranded even if the UK changes its policy.

“If the UK closes its doors, Malaysia will always keep its doors open for you to return and serve,” he told reporters after officiating the Clinical Research Malaysia Trial Connect Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.

Dzulkefly said applications must be submitted directly to the public service commission (SPA) via its online application system, with a pass in Bahasa Melayu at the SPM level among the entry requirements.

Non-citizens must apply through the health ministry’s contract officer selection committee before endorsement by the public service department and SPA, he added.

The assurance comes after the UK introduced the Medical Training (Priority) Act 2026, which changed entry rules for the Foundation Year (FY1/FY2) programme.

NUMed, in an official statement yesterday, acknowledged that the changes were “deeply distressing and unsettling” for students who had hoped to build careers in the UK, but stopped short of saying that they were fully shut out of the NHS system.

The university said graduates who completed the majority of their training in the UK were now prioritised for NHS training posts under the new regulations, placing NUMed graduates who trained in Malaysia on a reserve list.

It said it was “premature to assume” the students would not receive NHS placements, as the allocation process remained ongoing.

NUMed also said that it was helping students explore alternatives, including routes to General Medical Council registration, such as housemanship, currently available to Malaysian students.

It said its MBBS degree remained GMC-accredited, with graduates having gone on to careers in the UK and other countries.

Speaking at a press conference after officiating the launch of the conference, Dzulkefly also said that his ministry would issue a circular on guidelines for limits on working hours for house officers.

He said the move followed a report by Malaysian Medics International which claimed that house officers in the country work between 65 and 85 hours a week.

“A new guideline circular will be issued to strengthen matters related to the working hours of house officers.

“This matter is also receiving the attention of health director-general Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab,” he said.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...al-housemanship

Penang, kilang tutupe

enduser — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:10:57 +0800

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/802211

IQ Group to close Penang factory, over three dozen staff retrenched as orders evaporate

KUALA LUMPUR (May 4): IQ Group Holdings Bhd (KL:IQGROUP) is shutting down its Penang manufacturing operations that makes motion sensors and lighting as orders fell.

A small team of existing employees will be retained to oversee third-party supply and external manufacturer management, IQ Group said in an exchange filing. The remaining 37 employees will be retrenched and there will be no other options for those affected, the company noted.

“The closure…will not affect the group’s other manufacturing operations in China, and offices in Taiwan, Japan and the UK,” IQ Group said.

IQ Group Sdn Bhd, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary which runs the factory, has seen substantial decline in orders over the past three financial years ending March as customers shift their orders to China where costs are lower. Volume was also hit by US tariffs.

Production in Malaysia is no longer commercially viable after the final production batch was completed in April with no further orders since then.

IQ Group said it has been working with customers to build sufficient inventory to support the remaining product life cycle requirements, and in some instances, existing products have been replaced with new designs that offer cost competitiveness through production in China.

“For the US DIY market, the group has identified alternative manufacturing locations outside China that offer innovative and cost-competitive solutions in strengthening our ability to win new business,” IQ Group said.

The proportion of revenue affected by the closure is about 5% of the group’s total, the company said, noting that it will book one-off expenses totalling RM2.9 million for write-offs and retrenchment compensation.

The closure is expected to be completed by September this year and result in annual savings of about RM1.81 million in subsequent financial years, according to the company’s estimates

Pay rm500k study at NUMed, but...

enduser — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:38:33 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...s-from-malaysia

‘Profound sense of betrayal’ as UK govt blocks ‘UK degrees’ from Malaysia
27 mins ago
Geoffrey Williams

For decades, UK universities have marketed their degree courses in Malaysia on the promise of a prestigious British qualification at a fraction of the cost of studying in the UK.

Through this UK transnational education (TNE) model, 43,155 Malaysian students pursued UK qualifications in 2023-24. Yet, a recent legislative pivot in London has left nearly 850 medical students at Newcastle University Malaysia (NUMed) in limbo.

On March 5, 2026, the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act fundamentally altered eligibility for the UK Foundation Programme (UKFP), the mandatory two-year bridge for medical graduates to achieve full UK General Medical Council (GMC) registration.

While the degree awarded by NUMed in Johor is marketed as “equivalent” to the UK degree, the new law requires a “physical presence”. Training posts are now reserved exclusively for students who complete their studies within the UK.

For the current graduating cohort of 107 NUMed students and the 750 following them, this creates a “policy wall”. They have been relegated to a “reserve list”, which is effectively a career dead end in a system where UK-based graduates fill available slots.

The financial implications are staggering. Malaysian students at NUMed pay almost RM500,000 for the five-year programme and international students pay nearly RM700,000. The university’s revenue from these cohorts is estimated between RM494 million and RM527 million.

For the 40% to 50% international students there is no exit strategy. They are excluded from the UK system by the 2026 Act and barred from the Malaysian healthcare system due to rigid citizenship requirements for local housemanships.

This creates a “vacancy paradox”. Malaysia has a shortage of medical staff, with over 5,000 vacant housemanship spots in the ministry of health system. Despite being trained locally, these international NUMed graduates represent a trapped pool of talent. They are highly trained “stranded assets” who cannot be deployed to address local shortages due to a lack of regulatory coordination.

While NUMed is not responsible for the changes in British law, it is responsible for the transparency of the “product” it sells. If a qualification no longer provides the professional access to the UK as it once did, the recruitment narrative must reflect that diminished utility.

Internal guidance suggests that students on the reserve list are simply advised to “look at different countries”. For students who enrolled under the explicit promise of a pathway to the UK National Health Service (NHS), this is a profound departure from the marketed value.

Continuing aggressive recruitment ramping up batches to 170 students despite the legislative lockout, raises serious questions regarding institutional responsibility and consumer protection.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one student said, “there is a profound sense of betrayal”, among the NUMed students. “We invested years and significant fees into a UK-accredited degree, only to be retroactively devalued and left professionally stranded.”

A spokesperson for NUMed said: “We recognise that the UK government’s recent changes to medical training prioritisation in the UK are deeply distressing and unsettling for our students, particularly those who had hoped to pursue their careers in the UK.

“We have consistently been clear that access to postgraduate training is not guaranteed. However, we fully acknowledge that the ability of many graduates to progress into the UK Foundation Programme in recent years has understandably shaped student expectations.

“Our immediate priority is to support our students by helping them explore all available options.”

If this continues, “UK universities” in Malaysia risk being viewed not as “golden ticket” agencies to a global career but as “Willy Wonka’s Certificate Factories” selling diplomas leading to a career graveyard. This must end before UK universities in Malaysia lose their credibility entirely.

U think workshop bisnes always untung ar?

enduser — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:31:55 +0800

[YOUTUBE]uRJ7CkGk684?si=gW_VN69dZUgJXLqE[/YOUTUBE]

further enhancements to Solar ATAP?

enduser — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:20:00 +0800

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/800231

Malaysia pushes rooftop solar to cushion impact of global energy crisis

KUALA LUMPUR (April 17): The government is calling for greater participation from households and businesses in rooftop solar adoption, as it ramps up efforts to cushion the impact of the global energy crisis and rising electricity costs.

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) said consumers are encouraged to take up the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP), which was launched on Jan 1, 2026, to promote self-generated renewable energy.

The programme aims to incentivise the installation of rooftop solar systems, enabling users to reduce electricity bills over time through self-consumption, rather than direct cash incentives. The move aligns with Malaysia’s broader strategy to enhance energy efficiency and reduce reliance on volatile global fuel markets.

“Solar ATAP is expected to improve energy self-sufficiency while mitigating the impact of fluctuating electricity prices,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.

For non-domestic users, Petra noted that multiple financing options are available, including solar leasing and rent-to-own models, allowing businesses to adopt solar energy without upfront capital expenditure. Interested parties can refer to registered solar investors and service providers listed by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) Malaysia.

Meanwhile, large-scale electricity users in the medium-, high- and ultra-high-voltage categories are encouraged to explore the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), which offers access to a stable and green electricity supply over the long term.

Petra added that it is working on further enhancements to the Solar ATAP programme, particularly to improve affordability and accessibility for residential users, as part of efforts to broaden participation.

In tandem with renewable energy adoption, the ministry is also urging consumers, especially those working from home, to practise more efficient energy use. Recommended measures include setting air-conditioning at 24°C, maintaining appliances regularly, opting for four- or five-star energy-efficient appliances, switching off unused devices, and leveraging 'Time of Use' tariffs to optimise electricity costs.

The ministry said these initiatives are aimed at balancing the “energy trilemma” of supply security, affordability and sustainability, while strengthening Malaysia’s long-term energy landscape amid ongoing global uncertainties.

Hv to pay oso can but dun blok2

enduser — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:54:37 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...talenergies-ceo

Hormuz toll preferable to shutdown, says TotalEnergies CEO

WASHINGTON: The head of the French energy giant TotalEnergies said Monday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz – even with a toll – was critical for global markets.

“It’s clear that reopening and the free circulation through the Strait of Hormuz, even if you have to pay to anybody, is fundamental for the freedom of markets and global markets,” Patrick Pouyanne, the company’s CEO, said at an event on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington.

Since the start of the war in the Middle East on Feb 28, shipping across the strait – through which some 20% of the world’s oil and gas is transported – has been largely paralysed.

On Monday, US president Donald Trump further ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports – another obstacle for passage through the strait.

This move will add a “layer of less liquidity in the market,” Pouyanne said at the Semafor World Economy Conference.

The energy CEO said that Western countries had largely been buffered from the worst economic effects of the war through their stockpiles of oil and gas.

He warned, however, that “if this war and this blockade last more than three months, we’ll begin to face some serious supply issues,” notably in jet fuel and diesel.

He also pointed to fertiliser – derived from petroleum products – being “almost a system risk,” as shortages could lead to higher food prices and thus inflation.

Pouyanne noted that fees are paid by ships transiting the Panama and Suez canals.

“The real problem is the threat” of sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz, he said, explaining that the uncertainty will drive up prices.

Mau increase efficiency also donwan

enduser — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:45:54 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ncies-urge-govt

Halt digital hiring platform, 3 employment agencies urge govt

PETALING JAYA: Three associations representing private employment agencies have urged Putrajaya to halt plans to introduce a universal digital recruitment platform for migrant workers until comprehensive consultations with stakeholders are carried out.

The Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia, Malaysian National Association of Employment Agencies and National Association of Human Resources urged the relevant ministries not to support the proposed platform until comprehensive engagements with stakeholders were held.

The groups represent licensed private employment firms regulated under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981.

They raised concerns over the potential removal of licensed agents from the recruitment process, as well as the cost implications under the proposed system.

They said getting rid of the roles of agencies would lead to financial distress for many firms, the majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises established in the 1980s and 1990s.

They said they supported Malaysia’s move towards fully implementing an ethical recruitment model in a gradual manner, a process expected to take 10 to 15 years.

“We regret that the pretext of ethical recruitment has been widely used to rationalise the move to expedite setting up this digital platform without consulting all stakeholders.

“We agree that Malaysia’s foreign recruitment process should not accumulate unnecessary tiers … (but) we strongly suggest the authorities revert to the existing laws which have proven effective in regulating (migrant worker) recruitment,” they said in a joint statement.

The associations said they had formally objected to the proposal in a letter submitted to multiple ministries on April 8.

US$150 a barrel & going strong

enduser — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:07:13 +0800

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
- president of united state of america

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/798820

Physical oil prices hit record highs near US$150 a barrel as Hormuz crisis worsens

LONDON (April 7): European and Asian refiners are paying record high prices of near US$150 a barrel for some crude oil grades, far exceeding prices for paper futures, highlighting the worsening supply crisis from the US-Israel war with Iran.

The Iran war has forced the shutdown of at least 12 million barrels per day — about 12% of world supply — from the Middle East due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, Brent oil futures LCOc1 reached US$119.50 a barrel last month, the highest since 2022 although still short of the 2008 record high of US$147.50. The nearby Brent contract is for June delivery.

Competition for supply from Asian and European refiners to replace disrupted Middle Eastern oil flows has helped to drive up the prices of replacement crudes for more immediate delivery, such as those in Europe and Africa.

As a result, some crudes are hitting records already. The outright price of North Sea Forties crude reached US$146.09 a barrel on Tuesday, according to LSEG data, above the 2008 level and an all time high.

The main driver of prices such as that of Forties is "panic" over supplies, said Adi Imsirovic, a veteran oil trader. "When there is a real, physical shortage, people are not thinking about July delivery — June loading and hence June futures prices — but oil NOW."

The price of Forties and many other cargoes around the world is linked to the physical crude benchmark called dated Brent BFO — which is trading almost US$20 higher than the price of Brent futures for June delivery according to LSEG data because it reflects the price of cargoes for immediate delivery.

"At the moment, the market is scrambling for prompt, refinery-usable barrels, and stress is appearing first in the part of the benchmark that is closest to the immediate physical problem," Morgan Stanley analysts said in a report.

Prices of refined products in Europe were close to record highs on Tuesday.

Jet fuel prices in Europe hovered at US$226.40 a barrel, close to a record high hit in mid-March. Diesel prices were still shy of their record highs hit in 2022, standing at US$203.59 a barrel on Tuesday.

Putin is smiling :)

enduser — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:36:56 +0800

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/798914

Kremlin says the world is lining up for Russian energy

By Reuters
07 Apr 2026, 05:59 pm

MOSCOW (April 7): The Kremlin said on Tuesday that there were a huge number of requests for Russian energy supplies from a range of different places amid a grave global energy crisis.

Russia is the world's second largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia and holds the world's largest natural gas reserves.

President Vladimir Putin has suggested switching supplies away from European customers who have repeatedly said they no longer want to buy Russian energy due to the war in Ukraine.

"Now that the world has confidently embarked on the path of a rather serious economic and energy crisis, which is growing day by day, the market and market conditions in the field of energy and energy resources have completely changed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"There are a huge number of requests for the purchase of our energy resources from alternative sources. We are negotiating, we are negotiating in such a way that this situation best suits our interests."

Sohai motor masuk lif

enduser — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:54:20 +0800

[YOUTUBE]KyHbC7cvh2M?si=HYzrt-_K9fQ0bxV3[/YOUTUBE]

Beijing: TQ to gov of iran

enduser — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:10:26 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...t-hormuz-strait

China expresses ‘gratitude’ after 3 ships transit Hormuz strait

BEIJING: Beijing expressed “gratitude” today as it said three Chinese ships had transited the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has all but closed during the war in the Middle East.
Two of the vessels passed through the strait, crucial for transporting oil and gas, on Monday as they exited the Gulf, tracking data showed.

The CSCL Indian Ocean crossed the strait at around 9.14am on Monday, followed by the CSCL Arctic Ocean 27 minutes later, according to data from MarineTraffic.

“Following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz; we express our gratitude to the relevant parties for the assistance provided,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.

She did not mention Iran or provide details about the third ship.

Shipping through the strait has slowed to a trickle since Iran effectively blocked access following US-Israeli attacks on the country.

The CSCL Indian Ocean and the CSCL Arctic Ocean are both ultra-large container vessels belonging to the Chinese state-owned shipping giant Cosco, which refused to comment on the transits when contacted by AFP.

They passed close to the Iranian-controlled island of Larak and are bound for Port Klang in Malaysia.

The ships had aborted an attempt to transit on Friday, according to MarineTraffic.

Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz is open to ships of “friendly countries”. It maintains healthy diplomatic ties with China.

Cosco said on Wednesday it was resuming bookings for shipments from Asia to several Gulf countries, though without using routes that transit Hormuz.

The Shanghai-based firm had suspended bookings for services through the strait earlier in March due to the war.