Petrol supply stable until August, says Anwar

SEBERANG PERAI, May 26 — Malaysia’s petrol supply is expected to remain stable until at least August despite global disruptions affecting energy routes and rising shipping costs, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said Malaysia’s fuel stability was supported by its international relations and continued access to key shipping routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

“When we face difficulties and our ships and oil need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, we are among the first to be allowed through,” he said in his speech at the Madani Korban Cattle Distribution Ceremony in Seberang Jaya here.

Anwar said this had helped ensure continued fuel availability in Malaysia, including deliveries to Pengerang.

“So the early ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz arrived in Pengerang, and now petrol in Malaysia is available,” he said.

He added that in contrast, some countries were experiencing fuel shortages.

“In some countries, I was in Cebu in the Philippines for the Asean meeting, there were people queuing at petrol stations,”

“Some stations had already closed while others had long queues,” he said.

He said Malaysia has not reached that point and hoped that the country will remain safe in months to come.

Anwar said the situation showed the importance of maintaining strong international relationships to safeguard national energy security.

He said the government expected fuel supply stability to continue until July, possibly August.

“Diesel is sufficient,” he said, adding that earlier issues involved diesel shortages even when oil supplies were available.

However, he acknowledged that global shipping costs had risen due to geopolitical tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, which had also impacted insurance and freight costs.

“Have prices of goods increased a little? Yes, because we buy from outside sources and shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, so insurance costs rise and shipping costs also increase,” he said.

Despite this, Anwar said the government had maintained the price of RON95 at RM1.99 per litre under its Budi95 programme.

“Tell me which country is cheaper than Malaysia? Only Brunei, with its population of around half a million, that is the only country,” he said.

He said the government continued to provide targeted assistance through initiatives such as Budi Madani, supporting farmers, fishermen, school transport operators and small industries.

As for diesel, he said subsidies and assistance programmes remained in place despite ongoing fiscal pressure.

“We provide various Budi Madani projects for farmers, fishermen, tractors, buses, school buses and transport assistance,” he said.

Anwar said although the measures were not sufficient to resolve all challenges, they reflected the government’s effort to balance fiscal constraints with public support.

“Is it enough? It is not enough, because we still face problems,” he said.

He urged Malaysians to remain resilient and grounded in shared responsibility.

“What is the meaning of life if we do not climb and go through both ease and hardship together?” he said.

He added that Malaysians should remain open to criticism while still appreciating national stability.

“This does not mean we cannot be thankful or that we cannot criticise. We can criticise and we can give views,” he said.