Australian PM departs for home after two-day visit to Malaysia

 

SUBANG: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departed for home on Thursday (April 16) night after a two-day official visit to Malaysia.

Albanese was accorded a red-carpet ceremonial send-off and a guard of honour by the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment, under the command of Capt Muhammad Nafis Norshid.

The aircraft carrying Albanese and his delegation departed for Australia from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base here at 8.30pm.

Also present to see him off was Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Albanese arrived here Wednesday (April 15) and was accorded an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya today, followed by a four-eyed meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and a bilateral meeting involving senior ministers and officials from both countries.

Following the meetings, both leaders witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas of mutual interest.

Albanese also visited the PETRONAS Twin Towers and held discussions with Arthur and PETRONAS chief operating officer Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab.Australia is a significant economic partner for Malaysia, ranking as Malaysia's 12th largest trading partner in 2025, with total bilateral trade valued at RM78.63bil (US$18.38bil).

Malaysia and Australia elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2021, providing a framework to further expand cooperation across three key pillars: economic prosperity, society and technology, and defence and regional security. - Bernama

One country, two realities that are completely misaligned, cautions Dr Wee over petrol, diesel prices

 

PETALING JAYA: The sharp disparity between petrol and diesel prices has raised questions over the consistency of Malaysia’s fuel pricing policy, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

In a Facebook post, Wee said there are “two realities” that do not align, noting that while subsidised RON95 remains among the cheapest in the world at RM1.99 per litre, diesel in Peninsular Malaysia is among the most expensive globally.

“One country, two realities that are completely misaligned,” he said on Thursday (April 16).

Wee expressed concern that while diesel is usually cheaper or comparable to petrol in most countries, the opposite is true in Malaysia. He also questioned the significant price differences between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

He noted that diesel prices in the Peninsula are reportedly higher than in several energy-importing nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

“Countries without oil resources are able to manage prices better than us. Why can’t we? What exactly is our strategy?” he asked.

Wee emphasised that diesel is an “economic fuel” essential for agriculture, logistics and manufacturing rather than a lifestyle choice. He warned that high diesel costs trigger a ripple effect, driving up production and transport costs, which ultimately burdens consumers.

“Once prices go up, they rarely and hardly come down even if diesel prices drop,” he said, adding that stable costs are vital for national competitiveness.

He urged the government to review the diesel usage structure and act swiftly to protect the future of the national economy.

- Star

IRANIAN COASTLINE SHUTDOWN. DOW JONES IS UP.

 The US naval blockade against Iran which started on April 13th 2026 is now into its third day. Here is marinetraffic.com's live map (as at 9:15 pm 16th April 2026 local KL time) of the Iranian coastline along the Persian Gulf.

As you can see the entire Iranian coastline (highlighted in yellow) is now at a standstill. There is hardly any ship movement - certainly no movement of those gigantic oil tankers which used to carry away three million barrels of Iranian oil every day.

No one pondered this move by the Americans (and the Israelis). Certainly not the Iranian regime. And it appears that there will be more surprises. 

Here is the Dow Jones. It has shot up from 47,600 points on 13th April to 48,463 yesterday 15th April 2026. There is more upside coming.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

HOW WALL STREET FINANCED THE RISE OF COMMUNIST RUSSIA.

 For those interested in some "contemporary" western history. This is 30 minutes well spent.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

Pahang PKR says no talks yet on contesting Temerloh seat in GE16

 PKR’s Temerloh division previously laid claim to the seat, passing a resolution at its divisional meeting for the party to contest it in GE16.

Pahang PKR chief Ahmad Farhan Fauzi said the proposal to contest the Temerloh seat was merely a suggestion from the party’s division and had not been finalised. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Pahang PKR says neither the state chapter nor the party’s central leadership have discussed contesting the Temerloh parliamentary seat in the 16th general election (GE16).

Pahang PKR chief Ahmad Farhan Fauzi said the proposal to contest the Temerloh seat was merely a suggestion from the party’s division and had not been finalised.

“The distribution of seats will only be decided by the PH presidential council after negotiations among all component parties conclude,” he told FMT.

PKR’s Temerloh division previously claimed the seat, passing a resolution at its divisional meeting for the party to contest it in GE16.

However, Pahang Amanah chief Fadzli Ramly had said the party intended to contest the Temerloh seat, stating that the seat was its traditional stronghold.

Amanah won the seat in GE14 through Anuar Tahir, who obtained a 1,904-vote majority.

PAS’s Salamiah Nor won the seat in GE15 with a 5,520-vote majority, defeating her closest contender, Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda. - FMT

Projek BALB tingkat kualiti hidup penduduk luar bandar Sabah

 BN Sabah komited terus pantau pelaksanaan projek bernilai RM4.06 bilion itu agar beri manfaat langsung kepada akar umbi, kata Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Arthur Joseph Kurup berkata, BN Sabah akan terus beri sokongan padu dan bekerjasama dengan Ketua Menteri Hajiji Noor untuk rancakkan lagi pembangunan infrastruktur asas di negeri itu. (Gambar Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU:

 Pelaksanaan 83 projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) bernilai RM4.06 bilion dijangka menjadi pemacu kepada perubahan besar dalam meningkatkan kualiti hidup penduduk pedalaman di seluruh Sabah.

Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah Arthur Joseph Kurup berkata, prasarana berskala besar itu merupakan pelaburan masa depan yang penting bagi merapatkan jurang pembangunan antara wilayah, sekali gus memastikan tiada rakyat terpinggir daripada arus pembangunan perdana.

“Ini juga membuktikan hubungan yang baik antara negeri dan persekutuan adalah kunci kepada pembangunan Sabah,” katanya dalam kenyataan.

Menteri sumber asli dan kelestarian alam itu berkata, BN Sabah komited untuk terus memantau pelaksanaan projek itu bagi memastikan setiap peruntukan memberi manfaat langsung kepada akar umbi.

Dalam pada itu, beliau turut merakamkan penghargaan kepada Timbalan Perdana Menteri Zahid Hamidi, yang juga menteri kemajuan desa dan wilayah serta pengerusi BN, atas komitmen jitu merealisasikan penyerahan projek tersebut kepada kerajaan Sabah seperti diumumkan hari ini.

Arthur berkata, penyerahan projek itu bukan sekadar sebuah prosedur pentadbiran, malah bukti nyata integriti dan prinsip perjuangan BN yang sentiasa mengutamakan kebajikan rakyat.

Katanya, penyediaan infrastruktur air bersih yang mampan merupakan teras utama dalam manifesto BN pada PRN Sabah ke-16 yang lepas dan penyerahan projek itu membuktikan bahawa perjuangan parti tidak terhenti sekadar di peti undi.

“BN terus bekerja untuk bantu rakyat. Ini bukti komitmen politik matang, projek telah diluluskan, peruntukan sudah diusahakan dan kita terus serah kepada kerajaan Sabah untuk pelaksanaan membuktikan kerjasama yang baik,” katanya.

Arthur berkata, BN Sabah akan terus memberi sokongan padu dan bekerjasama dengan Ketua Menteri Hajiji Noor bagi merancakkan lagi pembangunan infrastruktur asas di negeri ini.

“BN Sabah akan terus berperanan sebagai jambatan kukuh antara aspirasi rakyat Sabah dengan kepimpinan persekutuan,” tambahnya. - FMT

Parties led by ‘top leaders’ want to join PN, says Samsuri

 The PN chairman declined to comment when asked about the possible inclusion of parties linked to Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin.

PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the coalition had asked parties interested in joining the coalition to provide information about their membership numbers, organisational strength and background. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Perikatan Nasional (PN) says it is going through several applications from political parties interested in joining the coalition, including those from parties led by “top leaders”.

In an Utusan Malaysia report, PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the coalition had asked the parties to provide information about their membership numbers, organisational strength and background.

“This information is important so that we can consider their applications properly,” he told reporters at the Terengganu PAS Aidilfitri open house in Kuala Terengganu.

Samsuri, who is also the Terengganu menteri besar, said the applications are expected to be discussed at the PN Supreme Council meeting scheduled for early next month.

“We hope all parties will remain open-minded in strengthening PN through the participation of various parties,” he said.

Samsuri declined to comment when asked about the possible inclusion of parties linked to Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin.

Hamzah, who resigned as opposition leader last week, hinted that his “Reset” political movement might contest in the next Melaka polls.

He launched the movement after Bersatu sacked him on Feb 13, and said he had been in talks about leading a new party.

However, he has since said he preferred joining an existing party over forming a new one. Hamzah also said his next “home” might already be a PN component. - FMT