SNAPSHOT | Anwar considering early polls - report; govt looking into ways to slash energy usage

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

6pm 

Election

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is reportedly in the early stages of considering holding a general election in the third quarter of this year.

  A report by Bloomberg, quoting anonymous sources, said an election before October is being considered as policymakers prepare for a more targeted approach to subsidies in the second half of this year. This assumes the government isn’t forced to trim subsidies even sooner.

  This is due to expectations that global energy prices will remain elevated as a result of the West Asia conflict, which has already ballooned the government’s subsidy bill and threatens to derail its budget deficit targets.

  

  The move is also reportedly motivated by plans to hold federal elections simultaneously with state polls in Malacca and Johor, which also helps control costs.

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  READ MORE | Can Madani stay in power if snap polls held amid fuel crisis? 

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  Malaysiakini has contacted the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry for comment. A Finance Ministry spokesperson reportedly told Bloomberg it will review the subsidy framework to ensure it is “sustainable, well targeted, and effective in minimising leakages” while insulating most Malaysians from global price volatility.

Energy crisis

• The government is looking into additional measures to reduce Malaysia’s energy consumption in a bid to avoid resorting to energy rationing like in other countries.

  This could include limiting the movement of cabinet members and ministries, said Anwar.

  

  “We want to avoid (supply shortage issues). So we need to find ways to reduce energy consumption, such as working from home, as well as other necessary measures.

  “We are grateful that, so far, oil supply remains sufficient until the end of June, but diesel supply has begun to face problems. Therefore, several measures will be announced from time to time,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

  The matter will be decided by the National Economic Action Council, which now meets every two days with ministries and relevant parties to monitor the overall energy supply situation.

• Separately, Anwar said Malaysia is in talks with Iran to secure safe passage for two Malaysian-owned tankers.

  He said both vessels were earlier granted clearance to transit the Strait of Hormuz, but are still facing “several restrictions” after exiting the Persian Gulf. He did not elaborate on the nature of those restrictions.

  

  On the status of other vessels, Anwar said two have already arrived in Malaysian waters, but one ship remains stranded at port in the Persian Gulf due to “technical damage”.

• Editor’s note: The following entry has been amended to reflect changes made to the original article by Bernama.

  The government is stepping up efforts to secure additional sources of plastic and its raw materials following supply disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia, said Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof.

  The Health Ministry has also secured additional supplies of naphtha and resin from China to support the healthcare sector, Bernama quoted him as saying.

  

  The assurance came after reports that Malaysia’s plastic manufacturing industry is expected to face continued uncertainty in the short- to medium-term due to the war.

Drink driving

•  Police have opened a murder investigation against a military officer, who was allegedly involved in a drink-driving crash that killed Bangladeshi gaming influencer Muzahid Millad yesterday.

  Kuala Lumpur police Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Zamzuri Isa said the suspect, identified as a 31-year-old army captain, is being remanded to facilitate investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

  

  “Magistrate Guftan Nor Asyikin Murlikamal allowed a remand order for five days between today (April 24) and April 28,” he said in a statement.

  Muzahid died in a car crash on the MEX Highway in Kuala Lumpur early yesterday morning.

Previously at 2pm | Bangladeshis want justice over fatal MEX crash; court to decide on Zahid's acquittal bid

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