Tag: US

Mohamed Khaled Leads Malaysian Delegation At IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026

SINGAPORE, May 29 -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will lead the Malaysian delegation at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, a three-day high level security forum focusing on regional security beginning Friday. Mohamed Khaled is scheduled to meet, among others, the United States (US) Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik during the event held at Shangri-La Singapore. The minister is set to address the Sixth Plenary Session on the topic “Managing Regional Tensions Amid Global Competition” on Sunday. On the sidelines, Mohamed Khaled is set to hold several bilateral meetings with defence counterparts and leaders from Australia, Vietnam, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United Kingdom (UK). He is also expected to meet Singapore Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam as well as engage in a bilateral discussion with his Singapore counterpart, Chan Chun Sing. In addition, Mohamed Khaled is also scheduled to attend a multilateral session with ASEAN Defence Ministers and the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers’ Informal Breakfast. Organised by the Britain-headquartered International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and diplomats from dozens of countries across the world. Vietnamese leader To Lam is slated to deliver the keynote address on Friday evening. – BERNAMA

SINGAPORE, May 29 — Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will lead the Malaysian delegation at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, a three-day high level security forum focusing on regional security beginning Friday. Mohamed Khaled is scheduled to meet, among others, the United States (US) Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Norwegian Defence Minister […]

Ringgit opens stronger against US dollar driven by positive sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 -- The ringgit started trading on Monday stronger against the United States (US) dollar, driven by increased market sentiment and investor confidence in the progress of US-Iran negotiations. At 8 am this morning, the ringgit strengthened to 3.9635/9705 against the US dollar from the level of 3.9655/9700 recorded last Friday. Reports say the US and Iran are in the process of discussing a deal that could potentially lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz -- a major oil shipping route that handles about 20 percent of global oil supply. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the US Dollar Index (DXY) fell 0.25 per cent to 98.987 points while equity futures indices such as the S&P 500 rose 0.61 per cent to 7,536.50 points. The development, he said, shows that risk-taking sentiment is expected to continue to be evident among traders and investors today. In addition, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude oil prices fell by more than five percent to US$91.75 per barrel and US$98.33 per barrel, respectively. "Following that, the ringgit is expected to continue to strengthen as market sentiment is seen to be improving and it is possible to see the ringgit move at the RM3.95 level against the US dollar." "The better performance of macroeconomic indicators such as the increase in the current account surplus and the reduction in the fiscal deficit in the first quarter of 2026, also shows that the risk of Malaysia becoming an economy with twin deficits is low," he told Bernama . When the market opened, the ringgit was trading lower against major currencies. This included a decline against the Japanese yen to 2.4934/4980 from 2.4925/4954, a decline against the British pound to 5.3432/3526 from 5.3245/3305 previously and a decline against the euro to 4.6143/6225 from 4.6012/6064 previously. The ringgit was also traded mixed against regional currencies. Against the Singapore dollar, the ringgit fell to 3.1030/1090 from 3.0985/1023 at Friday's close, was lower against the Thai baht to 12.1954/2248 from 12.1304/1468, but recorded a small strengthening against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.7/224.2 from 223.8/224.1 previously and was unchanged against the Philippine peso at 6.42/6.44. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — The ringgit started trading on Monday stronger against the United States (US) dollar, driven by increased market sentiment and investor confidence in the progress of US-Iran negotiations. At 8 am this morning, the ringgit strengthened to 3.9635/9705 against the US dollar from the level of 3.9655/9700 recorded last Friday. Reports […]

Anwar Receives Courtesy Call From International Scholar Vali Nasr

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today received a courtesy call from international scholar Prof Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya. In a Facebook post, Anwar said Vali Nasr, a renowned scholar, author and international relations expert in West Asian politics and Islamic studies, was in Malaysia […]

RINGGIT RISES AGAINST US DOLLAR ON HOPES FOR US-IRAN TALKS

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rose slightly against the United States (US) dollar today, supported by confidence that the second round of US-Iran talks could ease tensions along key global oil waterways. At 8am, the local currency rose to 3.9510/9570 against the US dollar from 3.9550/9600 at yesterday's close. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, said the market is pinning its hopes on the second round of US-Iran negotiations which are expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and further defuse the conflict. He said inflation concerns, driven by war-related pressures on US firms and rising US Treasury yields, would ensure borrowing costs rose, as the US Federal Reserve (Fed) may be reluctant to lower interest rates. "The ringgit is projected to trade in a narrow range against the US dollar between RM3.95 and RM3.97 today," he told Bernama. At the time of writing, West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oil prices both fell below US$100 per barrel, down 0.58 percent and 0.36 percent to US$90.76 and US$94.59 respectively. In the opening session, the local currency traded mixed against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit declined against the British pound to 5.3627/3708 from 5.3614/3682 at Wednesday's close, depreciated against the euro to 4.6649/6720 from 4.6594/6653, however strengthened against the Japanese yen to 2.4879/4918 from 2.4890/4923 previously. Meanwhile, the local currency was also traded mixed against ASEAN currencies. The local unit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.1093/1143 from 3.1095/1139 at Wednesday's close, rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 230.4/230.9 from 230.7/231.0 and surged against the Philippine peso to 6.57/6.59 from 6.58/6.59 previously. However, the ringgit contracted against the Thai baht to 12.3415/3676 from 12.3098/3330 at yesterday's close., -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rose slightly against the United States (US) dollar today, supported by confidence that the second round of US-Iran talks could ease tensions along key global oil waterways. At 8am, the local currency rose to 3.9510/9570 against the US dollar from 3.9550/9600 at yesterday’s close. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist, Mohd […]

Malaysia Welcomes US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

PUTRAJAYA, April 8 -- Malaysia welcomes the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the United States (US) and Iran, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.  It said the significant development serves as a crucial step towards de-escalating tensions and restoring much-needed peace and stability to the West Asia region. Malaysia has urged all parties to fully respect and implement all terms of the ceasefire in good faith to prevent any return to hostilities.  It also urged all parties to avoid any provocative actions or unilateral measures that could negatively impact the fragile stability of the region or jeopardise global economic and energy security. “Malaysia expresses its appreciation to all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts and mediations that led to this agreement.  “This breakthrough demonstrates that diplomacy remains the only viable path to resolving long-standing conflicts and ensuring long-term regional security,” the ministry said. All the respective parties should use this window of opportunity to continue their dialogue toward a durable, comprehensive, and peaceful settlement to their differences, it added.  “Malaysia calls upon the international community to support these peace efforts and contribute toward a just and lasting resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of all peoples in the region,” the statement read.  US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a two-week suspension of military operations against Iran following a mediation brokered by Pakistan. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Supreme National Security Council declared that Tehran would cease defensive operations if attacks on the country is halted. According to reports, negotiation between the parties involved is expected to take place in Islamabad on Friday. -- BERNAMA 

PUTRAJAYA, April 8 — Malaysia welcomes the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the United States (US) and Iran, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. It said the significant development serves as a crucial step towards de-escalating tensions and restoring much-needed peace and stability to the West Asia region. Malaysia has urged all parties […]

Explosions Rock Iranian Capital Amid US-Israel Attacks

TEHRAN March 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- A series of explosions struck Iran’s capital early Saturday as the city came under United States (US) and Israeli attacks, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Severe explosions were reported in the northeastern areas of the city. Flashes were seen lighting up the sky, while smoke was observed rising from affected areas. Iran’s air defence systems were activated following the attacks. Iranian media also reported brief power outages in some parts of the city. Hostilities in the region have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb 28. Tehran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, inflicting casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

TEHRAN — A series of explosions struck Iran’s capital early Saturday as the city came under United States (US) and Israeli attacks, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Severe explosions were reported in the northeastern areas of the city. Flashes were seen lighting up the sky, while smoke was observed rising from affected areas. Iran’s air defence […]

Iran Determined to Defend Sovereignty and People, Says Ambassador.

KUALA LUMPUR — Iran is determined to defend sovereignty and protecting its people amid the ongoing military conflict with the United States (US) and Israel. Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi said Tehran prioritized ending the war as soon as possible, but as a sovereign country, “the country has no choice but to retaliate […]

rump Claims Iran’s New Leader Wouldn’t ‘Last Long’ Without US Backing.

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump threatened on Sunday that Iran’s new supreme leader “is not going to last long” without his approval. “He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.” “I don’t […]