Is Putrajaya paying 'toll fees' to cross Strait of Hormuz, MP asks
Zikri Kamarulzaman
Published: Mar 30, 2026 10:50 AM
Updated: 2:26 PM
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed in a special address that Iran had agreed to allow Malaysian vessels through its blockade at the Strait of Hormuz after discussions with the republic's president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran's Embassy in Malaysia responded with a social media post, implying that this was in gratitude for Malaysia's support for the country during troubled times.
However, multiple international media reports since last week have indicated that Iran's military has set up a "toll booth" at the straits and is charging up to US$2 million for passage.
According to Bloomberg, the payments are ad hoc, and the method of payment and exact currency used are unclear.
Commenting on this, Subang MP Wong Chen asked Putrajaya to disclose whether Malaysia is also paying toll fees, for the sake of transparency.
Strait of Hormuz
"If the government has to pay the toll, then it has to disclose this publicly as taxpayers’ money is involved.
"For me, paying and getting clearance to sail is better than having our ships and Malaysian crew stranded, but we have to be transparent and accountable.
"Another issue is we are not sure who the shipowners are and whether they will be contributing too," Wong told Malaysiakini.
According to Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, there are seven vessels owned by Malaysian companies - including Petronas and Vantris Energy Berhad (formerly Sapura Energy) - waiting their turn to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
"If the government has to pay the toll, then it has to disclose this publicly as taxpayers’ money is involved.
"For me, paying and getting clearance to sail is better than having our ships and Malaysian crew stranded, but we have to be transparent and accountable.
"Another issue is we are not sure who the shipowners are and whether they will be contributing too," Wong told Malaysiakini.
According to Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, there are seven vessels owned by Malaysian companies - including Petronas and Vantris Energy Berhad (formerly Sapura Energy) - waiting their turn to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz
Malaysiakini has contacted Wisma Putra for comment regarding the toll fees. The news portal is also contacting Petronas and Vantris Energy for comment.
Skyrocketing oil prices
Anwar had previously said that nearly 50 percent of the crude oil Malaysia imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran had blockaded the straits in response to the US and Israel attacking the republic, causing global oil price hikes. Some Southeast Asian countries, like Thailand and the Philippines, have been experiencing oil shortages as a result.
Skyrocketing oil prices
Anwar had previously said that nearly 50 percent of the crude oil Malaysia imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran had blockaded the straits in response to the US and Israel attacking the republic, causing global oil price hikes. Some Southeast Asian countries, like Thailand and the Philippines, have been experiencing oil shortages as a result.
In Malaysia, the blockade has led to skyrocketing prices of unsubsidised fuel, with diesel now at RM5.52 per litre in the peninsula, and unsubsidised RON95 at RM3.87 per litre.
Putrajaya has responded with some belt-tightening measures, including limiting subsidised diesel purchases in East Malaysia and reducing the Budi95 subsidy cap to 200 litres per month.
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