SNAPSHOT | S'pore fuel prices rise sharply; more groups pan Hindu-Muslim NGOs meeting

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

9pm

Fuel price

• Fuel prices in Singapore have trended sharply higher in the wake of ongoing conflicts in West Asia, with RON95 reaching S$3.47 (RM10.64) per litre as of Wednesday, up from S$2.92 (RM8.92) earlier this month.

  Citing fuel price comparison portal motorist.sg, Bernama reported that diesel prices have risen steadily over the past three weeks since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, peaking at S$3.63 (RM11.10) per litre as of March 18.

  

  Singapore's pump prices remain the highest in the region.

• In Malaysia, diesel and RON97 prices also continued to balloon as global oil prices skyrocketed due to the Iran conflict.

  Diesel prices went up another 80 sen effective today to RM4.72 per litre, while RON97 prices are now at RM4.55 per litre, up 70 sen.

  

  Unsubsidised RON95 prices remained at RM3.72 per litre.
  
  The Finance Ministry, in a statement last night, assured that the subsidised Budi95 rate for RON95 will be maintained at RM1.99 per litre despite the jump in global oil prices.

Religion

• The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), together with a coalition of civil society organisations, categorically rejected the meeting by a group of 30 Muslim and Hindu activists in Putrajaya last night, to move towards peace.

  “The manner in which this meeting was convened raises serious concerns. It lacked transparency, failed to ensure inclusivity, and fell short of even the most basic standards of procedural integrity. No formal agenda was circulated in advance, notice was inadequate, and the engagement was rushed and poorly structured.

  “Crucially, the meeting carried neither a clear mandate nor legitimate authority, rendering it fundamentally unfit to address a matter of such national importance,” GHRF president S Shashi Kumar said in a statement.

  

  Shashi said that although GHRF was invited at the eleventh hour, he made “a principled decision not to attend”.

  READ MORE: 'Land activist' says will surrender to police, but on one condition

  ---

• Earlier, Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) and the National Hindu Temples Steering Committee (NHTSC) also rejected the peace talks.

  In a statement, they said the majority of Hindu NGOs, temple committees, and national-level leadership were absent, rendering any outcome fundamentally unrepresentative of the community.

  ---

  READ MORE: Muslim, Hindu activists meet for peace, but tensions brew from outside

  ---

  MHS and NHTSC president Ganesan Thangavellu asked those involved and relevant authorities whether a moratorium would be placed on enforcement actions against Hindu temples pending NHTSC's national plan, and if existing eviction and relocation would be reviewed.

  He also asked what binding assurances would be put in place to protect temples, and whether Hindus are now expected to engage with those who participated in, or remained silent on, offensive actions - without accountability, retraction, or respect.

• Amid brickbats, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the peace initiative undertaken by the 30 NGOs.

  In a statement today, he said this reflects the maturity of the people in choosing the path of peace, rejecting division, and upholding the spirit of mutual respect.

  “I salute all parties, including the police, who have supported this effort. May this initiative continue to unite us and serve as an example in strengthening national unity,” he said.

  

READ MORE: IGP: Harmoni Madani Programme a step to ease racial tensions

6pm

Court

• An unemployed man pleaded guilty to stepping on the Quran at the Alor Gajah Magistrate Court today, Berita Harian reported.

  Amir Abdul Malik, 41, who was charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code, will be facing nine months' imprisonment starting from the date he was arrested on March 15.

  Magistrate Teoh Shu Yee said that the decision against Amir came after taking into account racial and religious sensitivities, especially since the crime was committed during Ramadan.

  The court stressed that insults against religion may result in greater damage than a physical injury could do.

2pm

Corruption

• Malaysians Against Governmental and Institutional Corruption founder Mahajoth Singh called out the deafening silence surrounding MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's shareholding probe.

  Aiming fire at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the home minister, the lawyer said the absence of any denial or disclosure exacerbates concerns of procedural unfairness, undermining the law.

  

  He stressed that the lack of response defeats the purpose of the Special Investigation Committee, which had been expected to table its findings transparently and within days, as Anwar previously assured in Parliament.

  ---

  READ MORE: COMMENT | Why so secretive about probe into Azam's case?

  ---

  Mahajoth urged the government to immediately disclose the list of companies and the committee’s findings, warning that continued silence risks making the process appear like a facade rather than a genuine exercise in accountability.

Sports

• Harimau Malaya said it respects the regulatory process, after the Asian Football Confederation slapped the Football Association of Malaysia with a US$50,000 (RM196,119) fine and nullified Malaysia’s win in two Asian Cup qualifying matches last year for fielding ineligible players.  

  

  The national squad’s CEO said the issue is being looked at by “appropriate legal channels”.

  “Our priority remains clearly on supporting the players and staff, and ensuring they are in the best possible condition to represent Malaysia with professionalism, unity and pride.

  “Our focus is now fully on preparations for the upcoming match against Vietnam, where the team will perform with the same confidence, resilience and discipline that have been demonstrated throughout 2025,” Rob Friend said on X.

9am

Politics

• In conjunction with DAP’s 60th anniversary, Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee is proposing that the party anchor itself to a visionary framework he dubbed “Malaysia100”.

  

  “By the time the Federation of Malaysia marks its centenary in 2063, we envision an economy fully decoupled from extractive models, standing as the undisputed powerhouse of the green economy in Asean.

  “We envision an institutionalised care economy that ensures total gender parity. We envision a needs-based, profoundly egalitarian system of affirmative action that uplifts the poor strictly on the basis of their material need, regardless of their ancestry. 

  “Finally, we demand an unassailable democracy where local government elections are restored,” he said in a statement in the early hours of the day.

'Beaten, electrocuted': Suspect in Cikgu Chandra attack claims tortured by cops

KINITV | Surplus food at bazaars and buffets - redistribute or dispose?

Operator believes cross-border criminal group behind cremation urns heist

Sim defends pro-worker record amid court ruling