SNAPSHOT | Tiong seeks MOF input over surging diesel prices' impact on tourism sector

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

6pm

Diesel

• Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing said he has directed his ministry to consult with the Finance Ministry over the impact of surging diesel prices on the tourism sector.

  “This discussion will focus on the current situation and consider targeted measures, including temporary support of a limited duration, to help alleviate the short-term pressures arising from the current situation, which is partly influenced by developments in West Asia,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

  This was the result of feedback from relevant associations and industry players, he explained.

  He added that any measures taken will be guided by a “stabilise and upgrade” approach to ensure that industry needs are taken into account, while implementing appropriate reforms where needed.

2pm

Public transportation

• Prasarana Malaysia Berhad submitted the recovery action plan for the Kelana Jaya LRT line to the cabinet about two to three weeks ago.

  President and group CEO Amir Hamdan said the plan covers technical improvements and customer experience.

  

  “I think they have accepted our report. On our side, we have to make sure we execute the action plan in a timely manner to ensure that (disruptions) will not happen, or try to minimise the risk of disruptions,” Free Malaysia Today quoted him as saying at a site visit to the Pasar Seni MRT station today.

  Prasarana provides frequent updates to the Land Public Transport Agency regarding any service disruptions, he added.

  This comes after Transport Minister Anthony Loke last month ordered Prasarana to provide explanations and a recovery action plan over repeated service disruptions to the Kelana Jaya LRT line.

West Asia conflict

• Iran said the Strait of Hormuz remains open, adding that it is ready to help vessels from countries not involved in the attacks against it to safely pass through the strategic waterway.

  "We have not closed the strait. It is open," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News yesterday.

  He said that only countries involved in attacks against Iran have been restricted from crossing the strait.

  

  He added that Iran is ready to facilitate safe passage for vessels from countries such as Japan if they coordinate with Tehran.

  He said the matter was discussed with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, but noted that talks are still ongoing and details cannot be made public.

Bird flu

• Authorities in Kerala, India, have ordered the culling of over 20,000 birds following an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

  This is part of containment measures in the districts of Kozhikode and Alappuzha in the southern Indian state, after the testing of samples by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases confirmed the presence of avian influenza.

  According to Xinhua, about 14,228 birds in Kozhikode and 5,961 in Alappuzha will be culled, with operations set to begin today.

  Officials said the disease has so far been detected only in birds but urged the public to stay alert and report any incidents of unusual mass bird deaths to nearby veterinary hospitals.

  

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