SNAPSHOT | Urimai wants PM to disclose LNG profits; Fadillah warns of possible drought

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

6pm

Oil and gas supply

• United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) chairperson P Ramasamy challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to disclose the revenue gained by the government through crude petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

  Ramasamy questioned why Petronas’ profits were not being used to offset domestic fuel prices to ease the burden on the public, who are increasingly squeezed by the surging prices of RON95, RON97, and diesel.

  

  He further claimed that maintaining general petrol subsidies may be just a political move to “gain popularity” rather than real economic needs.

  “We cannot continue pointing fingers at foreign conflicts without being transparent to the public about our fuel import and export data.

  “The rakyat should not be forced to accept price hikes without having full details about our oil revenue,” he stressed.

READ MORE: Amid rising fuel prices, PM says M'sia imports more crude oil than it exports

• Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof assured that the country’s energy supply remains stable despite global uncertainties following conflicts in West Asia.

  He said Petronas has formulated alternative plans to ensure the continuity of oil and gas supply if key routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, are disrupted.

  

  “So far, the country’s energy supply remains at a stable level due to early planning and diversification of supply sources.

  “The government continues to bear large fuel subsidies to ensure that prices remain stable and do not burden the people despite rising global market prices,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

  Fadillah, who is energy transition and water transformation minister, said the price difference in fuel between Malaysia and neighbouring countries has led to smuggling activities, causing losses to the country and affecting domestic supplies.

  He said close monitoring would continue to be enhanced to ensure sufficient domestic supply and regulatory compliance by all parties involved in the industry.

READ MORE: Set up bipartisan committee to address skyrocketing oil prices, Samsuri urges govt

Weather 

• Fadillah said the country is facing uncertain weather conditions due to the transition from the northeast monsoon to the southwest monsoon, resulting in hotter and drier conditions that could lead to drought.

  “The government, through relevant ministries, is closely monitoring water supply together with water providers in each state to ensure sufficient supply.

  “So far, the water supply situation is still under control, but continuous monitoring measures will be implemented to deal with any eventuality,” Bernama reported the deputy prime minister as saying.

  

  He added that if there is a supply shortage, immediate measures, including water delivery using tanker trucks and monitoring of reservoirs, will be implemented to ensure that the supply reaches consumers.

• Earlier today, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a Level 2 (heatwave) warning for Padang Terap, Kedah.

  According to Bernama, 12 areas in Peninsular Malaysia are at Level 1 (alert) - involving Perlis and Kedah (Baling, Sik, Pendang, Pokok Sena, Kubang Pasu, Langkawi Island, Kuala Muda and Bandar Baharu).

  

  A similar weather warning was also issued for the Timur Laut district of Penang, Hulu Perak (Perak), and Rembau (Negeri Sembilan).

2pm

Penang quit rent hike

• Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he will prepare a report on the state’s quit rent hike to be submitted to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

  “I will also comply with the DAP secretary-general’s instructions not to discuss this issue in the media to avoid negative perceptions and impacts on the party, the leadership lineup, and the Penang state government as a whole,” Chow said on Facebook today.

  

  He also urged affected landowners to continue submitting appeals to the district and land offices in the state.

  He further expressed appreciation for the upcoming meeting organised by Loke, which will bring the two of them together with DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, with whom Chow was recently involved in a public tiff over the issue.

READ MORE: After Loke's rebuke, Guan Eng to stand down on quit rent criticism

Water

• Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said non-revenue water (NRW) remains high in several states due to pipe leaks, water theft, and ageing infrastructure, significantly impacting the efficiency of the country’s water supply system.

  However, Fadillah assured the public that the government is intensifying efforts to upgrade the system, strengthen monitoring, and reduce NRW rates to ensure that every drop of water reaches the people.

  “This includes investment in smart technology, holistic water resource management, and inter-agency cooperation to ensure the country’s water security is always guaranteed,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

  

  However, Fadillah said the government’s efforts alone are insufficient without the people’s support, and water-saving practices need to be made into a daily culture.

  “Use water wisely, fix leaks at home, and avoid wastage. Every small action we take has a big impact on the future of the country’s water supply,” he added.

Media

• MIC deputy president M Saravanan called for all media workers to be provided with basic welfare benefits, including health and accident insurance coverage.

  Stressing the role of journalists in the information ecosystem, the Tapah MP said media workers require a structured support system due to the nature of their job, of which unpredictable working environments and physical exhaustion are common.

  

  He highlighted the plight of part-time journalists and Tamil-language media workers, in particular.

  “We cannot expect our media practitioners to report on the struggles of the people while they themselves are struggling to secure their own future.

  “It is time we provide them with the protection they deserve,” the former minister said at the Tamil Media Practitioners Family Day at Batu Caves.

11am

Crime

• A 17-year-old student, believed to be the son of an opposition leader in Pahang, has been arrested by police on suspicion of rape.

  Maran district police chief Wong Kim Wai confirmed the arrest of the suspect, which occurred after the victim’s mother filed a police report two days ago.

  

  He said the suspect was detained overnight for investigation and was released yesterday morning on police bail. Wong also declined to reveal the suspect’s identity when asked about the rumoured link to a politician.

  Wong said the investigation is being carried out under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping.

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