SNAPSHOT | Is Budi95 sustainable amid conflict, MP asks; PAS condemns US leader weaponising faith

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

6pm

Oil prices

• Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee questioned how long the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) petrol subsidy would last with surging oil prices amid the intensifying conflict in West Asia.

  In a statement today, he speculated that the cost of RON95 could increase past RM6 per litre, forcing the government to absorb “an astronomical difference” to maintain the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre.

  He went on to express fear of an apocalyptic global war, saying that the existing conflict could rapidly escalate with either of the following scenarios: United States troops physically invading Iran, an Iranian strike causing mass casualties to US forces, or a simultaneous multi-front attack on the US.

  While warning that this would cause the energy crisis to spiral further out of control, Lee urged Putrajaya to wield every channel at its disposal to push for an immediate de-escalation and call for Washington to refrain from ordering troops into Iran.

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• Perak Amanah Youth proposed a temporary suspension of fuel allowances for MPs amid surging oil prices.

  Its chairperson, Khairol Najib Hashim, described this as a gesture of solidarity with the public.

  “This measure is not intended to deny the need for the duties of representatives of the people, but as a symbol of the leadership’s willingness to share the burden with the people.

  “In a situation where the people are forced to adjust their daily expenses, leaders also need to set an example through appropriate sacrifice,” Khairol said in a statement today.

  

• Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) is concerned that rising diesel prices would place further strain on rice farmers.

  FMT cited Pesawah chairperson Abdul Rashid Yob’s concern that operators who rent out harvester machines will raise prices, although they have yet to do so.

  

  The price of diesel has skyrocketed over the past three weeks, and is now RM5.52 per litre in the peninsula.

  The government has already moved to tighten its belt on diesel subsidies, placing limits on purchases in East Malaysia - signalling that subsidies for other diesel users may soon be tightened as well.

Environment

• The Meteorological Department has downgraded heatwave warnings in Kedah's four affected districts to a Level 1 “alert” in its latest hot weather report at 4pm today.

  Earlier, Kedah ordered 206 schools in Kota Setar and Pendang to switch to home-based learning from today until Tuesday as a result of an ongoing heatwave that is searing the northern side of the peninsula.

  

  As of 4pm yesterday, four districts in Kedah - Pendang, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, and Baling - were experiencing a Level 2 heatwave, according to the Meteorological Department.

  This is where the maximum daily temperature ranges from 37°C to 40°C for three days. Another 14 areas in the north were under advisory due to temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C.

  Education Ministry policies allow for schools to shutter if temperatures exceed 37°C for three consecutive days.

2pm

Iran war

• PAS launched a broadside against US Defence secretary Pete Hegseth over what the party claimed were remarks that suggested Islam posed a threat to world peace.

  “Islam is a religion founded on mercy, justice, and peace. Associating it broadly with violence is factually inaccurate and contradicts the very principles it upholds.

  “Using religious narratives to justify geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, is equally reckless, desperate, and repulsive as it fuels division and endangers hopes for lasting peace and stability,” said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement today.

  

  It is not clear what statement by Hegseth PAS is referring to.

  However, the defence secretary had, in a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday, prayed for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy” - remarks which observers said sought to add a religious spin to the US’ war on Iran.

11am

Politics

• A group of 23 Sarawak civil society organisations is urging the Election Commission (EC) to introduce postal voting for Sarawakians living in Sabah or the peninsula, saying those who migrated due to work or study should not be denied their right to vote if they can’t afford to fly back during elections.

  They said postal voting should be allowed for students at the very least.

  

  In a statement on Thursday, the groups also urged the EC to go public with proposals to redraw Sarawak’s electoral map as soon as possible, to allow thorough public consultation and feedback.

  Among the signatories of the statement are the Dayak National Congress, Pemangkin Research, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association, and Sarawak Women For Women Society.

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