Day: May 4, 2026

Cheryl Ellron takes on role of chief investment officer at SOGDC

KOTA KINABALU -- Cheryl Ellron has been appointed as Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) chief investment officer, marking a rare female leadership breakthrough in the state’s oil and gas sector. Taking on the role at a “pivotal time”, Cheryl said her focus includes expanding into downstream industries, attracting sustainable investments, and adopting energy-efficient technologies. “Sabah already has a strong foundation… what excites me most is how we can align this strength with Sabah’s Blue Economy frontier,” she said in a statement. She is also pursuing international partnerships, including with a United Kingdom firm, to introduce cleaner energy solutions. “Sabah’s position as a sweet crude oil producer gives us a natural advantage… (with) new technologies and a Blue Economy approach,” she said, adding the goal is to build a responsible, innovation-driven energy hub. --Credit: BORNEOPOST

KOTA KINABALU — Cheryl Ellron has been appointed as Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) chief investment officer, marking a rare female leadership breakthrough in the state’s oil and gas sector. Taking on the role at a “pivotal time”, Cheryl said her focus includes expanding into downstream industries, attracting sustainable investments, and adopting energy-efficient […]

Malaysia To Roll Out B15 Biodiesel From June 1 – Datuk Seri Dr.Ahmad Zahid

Malaysia To Roll Out B15 Biodiesel From June 1 - Datuk Seri Dr.Ahmad Zahid

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — The government has decided that B15 biodiesel will be produced by 19 licensed plants from June 1 this year, in a move aimed at lowering diesel prices nationwide. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also in charge of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), said […]

Ensure Continued Administrative Stability In Negeri Sembilan – Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the situation in Negeri Sembilan should be viewed in the context of respecting the royal institution and maintaining administrative stability. As such, Anwar, who is also chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), said a statement by a UMNO leader in Negeri Sembilan that the party is prepared to become the opposition in the state should not be overplayed. “The UMNO (Negeri Sembilan) statement is not yet clear. I do not wish to comment on it. “At present, if the issue concerns the royal institution, I have personally heard from His Royal Higness Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. “So the issue does not arise, as we abide by the Ruler’s decree, which calls for stability and for the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun) to continue (his duties),” he told reporters after attending the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s monthly assembly here today. He was commenting on a statement issued by Negeri Sembilan UMNO liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, who stressed that the party is willing to become the opposition rather than work with PH in the state government, as it does not want to be associated with the state’s customary and constitutional crisis. Elaborating further, Anwar said any claims that the Negeri Sembilan government led by Aminuddin has lost majority support must be determined through proper legal processes. “Has it truly lost full support? That will all follow due process,” he said. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the monarchy, including the role of the four Undangs (traditional chieftains) as part of Negeri Sembilan’s governance structure. “I have also conveyed to the Menteri Besar that, in addition to adhering to the decree of the Yang Dipertuan Besar, he should continue engaging with the four Undangs, in accordance with Negeri Sembilan’s laws and customs,” he said. On April 27, all 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan were reported to have announced a loss of confidence and withdrawn support for the state government led by Aminuddin, following a crisis involving the state’s customary and constitutional institutions. The crisis in Negeri Sembilan began after the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, who was reported to have signed the declaration to depose Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. -- BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the situation in Negeri Sembilan should be viewed in the context of respecting the royal institution and maintaining administrative stability. As such, Anwar, who is also chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), said a statement by a UMNO leader in Negeri Sembilan that the party […]

MIMAC 3.0: Fans Spark Scuffle, Order Quickly Restored – Mohd Ezry Azamin

Spectator provocation has been cited for a scuffle during the Malaysia International Muay Championship 2026 (MIMAC 3.0) final, but swift action by authorities restored order. Perak Tomoi Association president Mohd Ezry Azamin Abdul Wahab said the trouble started when a Moroccan fighter accidentally kicked the downed Malaysian athlete, breaking the rules and angering the crowd. "Okay, in the final, according to the rules and regulations, when a fighter goes down, the other can't strike. But I believe it was unintentional. "The situation was quickly brought under control, with police providing excellent security," he told reporters after the match at Dataran Warisan here last night. The incident took place during the bout featuring national fighter Muhammad Nazifi Mat Nasir (GPY Ciko), who beat Morocco's Ousama Taoud in the 68-70kg category to win the Perak Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC) chairman Muhammad Naim Al Amin Saharudin belt. Mohd Ezry Azamin said the fighter was one of four Moroccan debutants in Malaysia, with their participation status to be reviewed post-match. "I haven't decided anything yet. We usually do a post-mortem the day after the event, then make our call," he said. On future events' security, Mohd Ezry assured that organisers will ramp up controls through tighter cooperation with police and internal security teams.

TAIPING, May 4 — Spectator provocation has been cited for a scuffle during the Malaysia International Muay Championship 2026 (MIMAC 3.0) final, but swift action by authorities restored order. Perak Tomoi Association president Mohd Ezry Azamin Abdul Wahab said the trouble started when a Moroccan fighter accidentally kicked the downed Malaysian athlete, breaking the rules […]

Trump Says US To Help Escort Neutral Ships Out Of Strait Of Hormuz Starting Monday

ISTANBUL, May 4 -- US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels safely out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning West Asian time, describing the effort as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries caught up in a conflict they have no part in. Anadolu Ajansi reported Trump said ships from countries around the world had asked the US for help after becoming trapped in the waterway. He said he had instructed his representatives to inform those nations that the US would use its "best efforts" to guide their ships and crews out of the restricted passage, adding the vessels would not return until the area was safe for navigation. Trump named the initiative "Project Freedom," saying many of the stranded ships were running low on food and other essentials needed to keep large crews in healthy condition. "The ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong - They are victims of circumstance," he said. He said the move was “for the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States,” adding that any interference with the humanitarian effort would "have to be dealt with forcefully." Trump also said his representatives are engaging in "very positive" discussions with Iran that he believed "could lead to something very positive for all." Iran did not immediately react to his announcement. The announcement came as Trump told the Israeli media outlet Kan News that he had studied Iran's proposal to end the war and found it unacceptable. "It's not acceptable to me. I've studied it, I've studied everything — it's not acceptable," he said. On Saturday, he had already expressed skepticism, saying Tehran had not yet paid a "big enough price" for its actions over the past 47 years. Despite the public dismissal, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN that Washington remained engaged, Anadolu reported. "We're in conversation," Witkoff said when asked about the state of discussions. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Saturday that Tehran had submitted a 14-point response to a US proposal through a Pakistani intermediary. Iran said Sunday that it had received a US response and was reviewing it. The Axios news site reported that the US on Sunday submitted a newly revised draft agreement aimed at ending the war in response to Iran’s latest proposal. The war paused after a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took hold in early April and was later extended indefinitely. Peace talks were held in Islamabad last month, but an agreement was not reached, and another round could not be arranged. Trump said "we're not flying anymore with 18-hour flights every time we want to see a piece of paper. We're doing it telephonically.” -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

ISTANBUL, May 4 — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels safely out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning West Asian time, describing the effort as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries caught up in a conflict they have no part in. Anadolu Ajansi reported […]

Asian Development Bank Announces US$70b Plan For Energy, Digital Infrastructure

ISTANBUL, May 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The Asian Development Bank on Sunday announced US$70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives through 2035, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "Energy and digital access will define the region’s future," said the bank's President Masato Kanda in a statement. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative will link national and subregional power systems to enable the flow of renewable energy, while the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway aims to close digital infrastructure gaps and support AI-driven growth across the region. "These two initiatives build the systems Asia and the Pacific need to grow, compete, and connect. "By linking power grids and digital networks across borders, we can lower costs, expand opportunity, and bring reliable power and digital access to hundreds of millions of people," he added. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative targets US$50 billion by 2035 for cross-border power infrastructure. The Asia-Pacific Digital Highway aims to mobilize US$20 billion by 2035 to fund digital infrastructure and AI-ready economies, including fiber networks, satellites, and regional data centers. The bank aims to integrate around 20 gigawatts of cross-border renewable energy, expand energy access to 200 million people, create 840,000 jobs, and cut regional power sector emissions by 15 per cent by 2035. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

ISTANBUL, May 4 — The Asian Development Bank on Sunday announced US$70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives through 2035, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “Energy and digital access will define the region’s future,” said the bank’s President Masato Kanda in a statement. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative will link national and subregional power systems […]

Oil And Gas Supply Secure, But Rising Prices Strain Govt Finances – PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the country’s oil and gas supply remains secure, but rising global fuel prices continue to strain government finances as it maintains the RON95 price at RM1.99 to protect the majority. He said disruptions and risks to international trade routes due to conflicts in West Asia have led to higher shipping and insurance costs, which in turn are affecting fuel prices. However, he added that Malaysia is still able to ensure sufficient domestic oil and gas supply through its good relations with Iran and other producing countries, including Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. “So, fuel supply is assured, but prices are rising. “This is not a problem originating from us, but from external factors. That is why we are compelled to face the challenge of rising fuel prices,” he said while delivering a speech and briefing on the issue at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s monthly assembly here today. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government is committed to ensuring that rising global oil prices do not burden the majority of the people through the implementation of the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) subsidy, despite having to bear a heavy financial cost. He said that at present, the government is spending RM5 billion a month on fuel subsidies, compared with RM700 million in January when the BUDI95 subsidy was introduced. “Malaysia is still maintaining the RON95 price (RM1.99 per litre)… if prices surge further, the subsidy could exceed RM6 billion a month. But for now, the government is bearing about RM5 billion a month. “In January, when I announced the RON95 subsidy, we were covering RM700 million a month. I thought that was manageable, as Malaysia is not a poor country,” he said. The Prime Minister urged all parties to understand that rising oil prices are a global reality and not the result of weaknesses in domestic policy. Oil prices rose above USD120 a barrel on Thursday after President Donald Trump warned Iran that a United States naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz could continue for several months. -- BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the country’s oil and gas supply remains secure, but rising global fuel prices continue to strain government finances as it maintains the RON95 price at RM1.99 to protect the majority. He said disruptions and risks to international trade routes due to conflicts in […]

Abuse Of Power Probe: Rafizi Gives Statement At MACC Hq

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 -- Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters today to provide his statement on a probe into abuse of power and graft in a RM1.1 billion semiconductor deal with the United Kingdom firm ARM Limited. The Pandan Member of Parliament arrived at 9.31 am. Before entering, Rafizi told reporters he would give his full cooperation to the investigation. On Saturday, MACC senior investigation director Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar said the case is being probed under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for the misuse of position or authority for gratification. According to him, 22 statements have been taken, including from ministers and senior officials across several government agencies, since the investigation started on Feb 13, 2025. Mohd Hafaz said the anti-graft body recorded statements from Rafizi's former aide Chai Jin Shern, better known as James Chai, for three consecutive days starting Tuesday last week. -- BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters today to provide his statement on a probe into abuse of power and graft in a RM1.1 billion semiconductor deal with the United Kingdom firm ARM Limited. The Pandan Member of Parliament arrived at 9.31 am. […]