Editor’s Note: Pending conformation from the authorities, it has been learnt that the disel supply made to the Philippines “was not Malaysian oil but was only refined in Malaysia” or “more precisely, it was processed in Johor and stored in Tanjung Bin”.
The company that supplies diesel to the Philippines is believed to be Vitol Group – an independent energy trader – which has a branch in Singapore.AMID diesel price having soared to record high of RM6.72/litre, UMNO renegade-turned-staunch Madani critic Isham Jalil has demanded the Madani government to quickly get to the bottom of allegation that Malaysia has exported 329,000 barrels of diesel to the Philippines despite PETRONAS having denied such arrangement.
The UMNO supreme council member who was sacked in December 6, 2023 primarily for opposing the party’s collaboration with DAP was referring to ‘credible’ media reports, the latest being that from the Philippines News Agency (PNA) which is the Philippines’ official, government-run web-based newswire service.
Apparently, PNA has run a statement yesterday (April 11) afternoon citing Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin that the arrival of about 329,000 barrels or 52.311 million litres from Malaysia reflects Manila’s “on-going efforts to boost domestic supply as tensions in the Gulf region continue to escalate”.
In fact, Malaysia’s diesel supply is the second to the country following the first delivery of 142,000 barrels or 22.578 million litres from Japan on March 26 in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive under Executive Order 110 to ensure a stable and sufficient oil supply amid heightened external market uncertainty.
“So is the Philippine government lying or who’s lying?” jibed Isham in a Facebook post.
“Putrajaya should try asking its Philippines counterpart which refinery the diesel oil came from? And explain to the rakyat. Don’t play around with denial. Even a schoolboy can do so with ease. This is a serious matter. The rakyat want to know.”
Pursuant to the PNA news report, PETRONAS has denied having “entered into any such arrangement with any party in the Philippines”.
“PETRONAS’ utmost priority remains ensuring reliable and continuous fuel supply for Malaysia in close coordination with the government and relevant stakeholders,” clarified the national oil corporation in a statement.
Apart from PETRONAS, the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) also denied such diesel delivery amid concerns of local diesel supply scarcity while its crisis management team advised the public against making speculation and urging reliance on official government sources.
In a jest, Isham also took a pot shot at the Anwar Ibrahim Fans FB page which ‘proudly proclaimed’ recently that “Malaysia continues to export diesel overseas with 34,000 tonnes having arrived in Bangladesh while another 300K barrels (40,900 tonnes) will be arriving in the Philippines come Friday (April 10)”.
“Is this Anwar Ibrahim Fans page an opposition page?” mocked the former special officer to disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“It admitted that we sent diesel to the Philippines and Bangladesh even though PETRONAS and the government deny involvement. Anwar (Prime Minister Datuk Seti Anwar Ibrahim) and Fahmi (Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil) should fire its admin for failing to function properly.”
- focus malaysia
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