Israeli TV Reports US Seeks 'One Month Ceasefire'; Tehran Refuses Talks With 'Backstabbers'

Oil Tumbles, Stocks Surge As Israeli TV Reports US Seeks 'One Month Ceasefire'; Tehran Refuses Talks With 'Backstabbers'

by Tyler Durden
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026 - 09:35 PM

Summary

US seeks a one-month ceasefire with a framework to end the war, according to Israel Channel 12 reports; Telegraph says Iranians see Witkoff and Kushner as 'backstabbers'


WSJ, Fox reporting 3,000 elite Army Airborne soldiers to be ordered to Middle East. Axios says US awaits Iran response to proposed Thursday peace talks. Trump says Iran has been destroyed "militarily".


Backchannel diplomacy vs skepticism: Abbas Araghchi reportedly signaled openness to negotiations with the US via envoy Steve Witkoff, but Israel has appeared cool on deal prospects or offramp.


Heavy exchange of fire and testing red lines: Iran continues missile and drone waves targeting Israel and US bases, amid reports of overnight airstrikes on military and gas infrastructure near Isfahan.


Iran reshuffles its security leadership, appointing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr: he's a former IRGC commander and replaces the assassinated Ali Larijani.


Iran halts natural gas exports to Turkey: follows last week's Israeli strike on the massive South Pars gas field; QatarEnergy declares force majeure on some LNG contracts due war.


* * *

Iran Refuses Talks With Trump's 'Backstabbing Negotiators': Telegraph

This is to be expected, given how things went in Geneva just hours before it was bombs away:


Iran has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accusing them of “backstabbing”.

Gulf sources told The Telegraph that the Iranians would not sit down with Mr Witkoff, the administration’s Middle East envoy, and Mr Kushner, Mr Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, because of the military strikes that hit Tehran hours after they held talks in February.

JD Vance, the vice-president who has remained largely quiet during the conflict, is now being touted as chief negotiator should fresh discussions go ahead in Islamabad, Pakistan, later this week.

“Vance is preferred,” a Gulf source said of the Iranians. “They don’t want to work with Jared and Witkoff because they stabbed them in the back.”

US Seeks One-Month Ceasefire, Sent Iran Plan To End War; Israeli TV

Israel's Channel 12 TV is reporting that the US is seeking a ceasefire period of one month, to be announced shortly, to work on a framework that Witkoff and Kushner are working on.

Despite many skeptics' claims, President Trump had earlier confirmed that talks were taking place "right now", claiming that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner held talks Sunday with an Iranian leader.

He did not say who that was.

Trump earlier signaled that Iran had offered a “present” as a show of good faith in negotiations the US leader has claimed are ongoing to end a 25-day conflict that’s upended global markets, even as he deploys more troops to the Middle East.

Trump wouldn’t detail the gift, “worth a tremendous amount of money,” but confirmed it was related to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

The New York Times reports that the plan was delivered via Pakistan, whose army chief has emerged as the key interlocutor between the United States and Iran, officials say.


Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has emerged as the key interlocutor between the United States and Iran, with Egypt and Turkey encouraging the Iranians to engage constructively, the officials added. Field Marshal Munir is believed to maintain close ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, putting him in a position to pass messages between the warring sides, they said.

He recently reached out to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament and a former Revolutionary Guards commander, proposing that Pakistan host talks between Iran and the United States, said an Iranian official and a Pakistani official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive communications.

Field Marshal Munir met twice in 2025 with President Trump, who has showered praise on him, saying he was his “favorite field marshal.”

It was unclear how widely the plan had been shared among Iranian officials and whether Iran was likely to accept it as a basis for negotiations.

Nor was it clear whether Israel was on board with the proposal.

Nevertheless, the delivery of the plan showed that the administration was ramping up efforts to conclude a war, now in its fourth week, that has drawn in several other countries.

The ceasefire period will be used to negotiate an agreement based on the following points: (emphasis ours):

What does the US want from Iran?

Dismantling existing nuclear capabilities that have already been accumulated


A commitment that Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons


No material will be enriched on Iranian soil.


All enriched material will be delivered to Saba on a schedule to be determined by the parties.


Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow will be decommissioned - destroyed


The Atomic Energy Agency will be exposed to all information within Iran's borders.


Iran will abandon the proxy paradigm


Stop actually funding and arming the proxies in the region.


The Strait of Hormuz will remain open, will be a free maritime zone - and no one will block it


Postponement of decision on ballistic missile program


Ballistic missiles are only used for defense

What will Iran get in return?

Lifting all sanctions


Will assist them in promoting and developing a civil nuclear project in Bushehr (electricity generation)


The snapback threat of sanctions will be removed

According to Channel 12's report, Israel is concerned about proposal and thinks it is unlikely Iran will accept the terms.

The immediate reaction was a drop in crude oil prices...



...and the mirror image rise in US equity futures...



The Hill reports that President Trump said Tuesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine were “disappointed” by the idea of a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire with Iran.

Hegseth and Caine were “the only two people that were quite disappointed” the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran may soon come to an end, Trump said in the Oval Office following the swearing in of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

“I think this thing’s going to be settled very soon and they go, ‘Oh, that’s too bad.’ Pete didn’t want it to be settled,” Trump said.

“They were not interested in settlement. They were interested in just winning this thing,” he added.

How long before we get a denial (or a rejection from Iran)? And let's just all forget about the imminent 'boots on the ground'?
No Change in Trump Iran Rhetoric in latest from WH

Trump in the oval once again addressed the Iran conflict, saying "this is a change in the Iranian regime," and went further, stating, “I think we can say this is regime change."

Trump expressed confidence that negotiations would conclude successfully, saying, "they are going to make a deal; they gave us a significant prize worth tremendous amount of money," later reiterating that Iran had "gave us a very big present" worth "a very big amount of money" - supposedly the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted "we'll have control of anything we want."

He also hailed that Iran has been completely destroyed "militarily" - but without addressing the fact that Iranian forces continue to fire rockets on targets across the region. He at one point proclaimed once again: "we won" - but blamed the "fake news media" for not acknowledging that.

Middle East conflict: Most powerful weapon is the disruption of economic stability

Murray Hunter

Middle East conflict: Most powerful weapon is the disruption of economic stability

Oil and gas prices have already surged, pushing Brent crude well above USD 100 per barrel in recent weeks and threatening to climb further.


Mar 24, 2026





This is my third column in The Vibes. Hope to go to national issues next week.

THE Middle East conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran has now entered its fourth week, and the narrative has completely shifted.


Murray Hunter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.


US President Donald Trump initially justified the campaign as a necessary strike to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability.

This is despite him earlier claiming that American air raids in June had already “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, the world quickly saw through the rhetoric. What unfolded was not a surgical operation against weapons of mass destruction, nor was it a genuine push for regime change.

It was, from the very beginning, an economic war dressed in security language.

The initial attacks quickly morphed into a political decapitation attempt that went badly wrong.

The body of the Iranian leadership survived, the nuclear sites proved far more resilient than believed, and the conflict escalated because the true objectives were never about bombs but about control of energy flows and global financial architecture.

Israel and the United States entered the attacks with very different goals.

Israel sought to create political chaos inside Iran on the model that had previously applied to Iraq and Syria — fragmenting the state, weakening its regional influence, and removing a strategic threat.

The United States, under Trump, pursued deeper, with more structural aims. This was to disrupt the sea lanes that supply China with energy, to undermine the viability of the BRICS grouping, and to reassert dollar dominance in global energy trade.

This is why the Strait of Hormuz became the central theatre almost immediately.

When Israel destroyed key Iranian gas infrastructure, Iran responded in kind by striking Saudi and Qatari oil and gas facilities. The message by Iran was clear: if the West wants Iran to feel pain, the Gulf Arab states, which have been America’s traditional partners, would share it.

Iran then took the bold step of effectively controlling passage through the Strait. Major shipping lines suspended operations.

Iran has now begun imposing conditions. Ships could pass only if payments for oil and gas were made in Chinese Yuan, and a transit toll was paid.

What started as a wartime measure now shows every sign of becoming something permanent.

The result has been exactly what Iran intended and what many in Washington most feared.

Global scarcity of oil, gas, urea fertiliser, and petrochemical-based plastics is beginning to drive prices skyward.

Reports indicate that Iranian oil is moving in greater volumes than before the conflict through alternative routes, while Russia has benefited enormously from higher prices and diverted demand.

The blockade has weakened the US dollar’s role in energy settlements and pushed Washington further outside the Gulf Arab states, which now find themselves under sustained Iranian pressure.

This is no longer a conventional military confrontation. It is a fight over the shape of the new world order.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become symbolic of who will write the rules of energy trade in the 21st century.

By forcing payments in Yuan and extracting tolls, Iran is accelerating the de-dollarisation trend that BRICS has been quietly advancing.

The United States miscalculated badly. Instead of isolating Iran and strengthening the petrodollar, the policy has strengthened multipolar alternatives and exposed the limits of American power projection.

Politically, the war is already backfiring. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position grows more precarious with every passing week of escalation.

In the United States, Trump and the MAGA movement face mounting domestic criticism as fuel prices climb and supply chains buckle. Both leaders are discovering that military adventurism in the Gulf carries high political costs when the economic blowback hits voters at the petrol pump and the supermarket.

Yet the real damage is economic and global. In the short term, certainly for the next six to twelve months, the world faces significant chaos.

Oil and gas prices have already surged, pushing Brent crude well above USD 100 per barrel in recent weeks and threatening to climb further.

Transport and logistics costs are rising sharply. Farming input costs, especially fertiliser, are climbing in tandem.

These pressures will translate into higher food prices and broader consumer inflation within months.

Governments everywhere will be tested. Central banks will struggle to balance inflation control with growth.

Supply-chain disruptions will compound the pain. Countries without domestic energy resources will face the harshest adjustments. Those that possess oil and gas will be relatively better placed, but only if they manage their resources wisely, by recalibrating pricing policies and reducing dependence on volatile international markets.

Malaysia, fortunately, sits in a stronger position than many. As an ASEAN member with substantial oil and gas reserves through Petronas, the country stands to gain from elevated energy prices in the same way it did during previous Gulf crises.

Sustained high Brent prices could add billions to Petronas’ revenue and help narrow the fiscal deficit or fund targeted subsidies.

The parallel rise in palm-oil prices creates a golden opportunity to accelerate biodiesel production for the domestic market, reducing reliance on imported diesel and creating new value chains in the plantation sector.

Washington hoped the war with Iran would fracture the BRICS grouping.

However, it has instead highlighted its resilience. Iran’s membership and the aggression it has faced have accelerated internal cohesion and agenda implementation.

Malaysia’s deepening engagement with BRICS offers a pathway to diversify trade, reduce exposure to US tariffs and audits, and participate in new financial mechanisms that bypass traditional dollar channels.

The war has also delivered a masterclass in modern deterrence. Iran has demonstrated that asymmetric capabilities such as drones, precision missiles, and strategic chokepoint control can neutralise conventional military superiority and inflict economic pain far beyond the battlefield.

Looking ahead, the conflict shows no immediate off-ramp. Iran has no interest in a premature ceasefire while its strategic objectives remain unmet.

The United States and Israel lack a credible exit strategy, even though Trump is hinting at an exit.

This episode has taught the world a truth that the most powerful weapon in today’s global arena is not missiles or aircraft carriers but disturbing economic stability.

Control over energy flows, currency settlement, and supply chains can achieve strategic objectives more effectively than kinetic force. The Gulf conflict is the clearest recent example of this new reality. – March 22, 2026

Gulf War Beginning to Destabilize Arab Family Dictatorships

Murray Hunter


Gulf War Beginning to Destabilize Arab Family Dictatorships


Mar 23, 2026





The Al Khalifa monarchy, a Sunni ruling family over a Shia-majority population put into power by the Colonial British has long managed dissent through repression, supported by Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia.

The war has sparked rare civil unrest, with protests mostly Shia-led groups against US/Israeli actions, and the government’s alignment with them. Demonstrations included peaceful marches, some clashes with security forces (Molotov cocktails reported in isolated cases), and arrests (dozens to over 60 in early March for protests, social media posts showing Iranian strikes, or sympathy with Iran). Authorities banned protests citing security, cracked down violently with tear gas, and arrests detaining critics. Some reports describe cheering at Iranian strikes on US targets, reflecting anti-government and anti-US sentiment.

Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet in its country. Protests have erupted across the country in opposition to the government’s alignment with Washington’s expanding military campaign against Iran. It will be almost impossible for Arab family dictatorships to allow the US military to re-establish bases after the war.

Bahrain saw major unrest in the 2011 Arab Spring that was crushed with Saudi-led intervention. Recent protests are notable but smaller and more contained than 2011, focused on the war rather than full revolution calls. Ongoing issues include repression of opposition, where some leaders still imprisoned despite 2024-2025 amnesties, socio-economic grievances, and human rights concerns including arbitrary detentions, and torture allegations.

Bahrain is considered particularly susceptible to civil unrest because around 55-75 percent of the population are Shia Muslims and the emirate is ruled by a Sunni.

On March 11, Bahrain has deployed Jordanian 5,000 anti-riot troops to suppress protests, marking the first such foreign intervention since 2013, where Saudi and Emirati riot police and armies intervened. These security forces are managing demonstrations sparked by Bahrain’s role in the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, which includes hosting U.S. military assets, reported Defensemirror.com and Al Mayadeen English.

This was reportedly on Saudi Arabian insistence as there is some concern about a potential overthrow of the Al Khalifa family which rules the small country. Jordanian riot police have been sent because of the difficulty of UAE and Saudi forces assisting at this time.

Arab family dictatorships are banding together to prevent any family falling, as this could potentially unleash resistance to their collective rule across their own nations.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani has called for an immediate halt to the current escalation of the war between the US and Iran. This appeal was made to European leaders. Iranian attacks on Qatar not only weaken infrastructure but can potentially increase the level of citizen discontent in the country.

This was collateral damage from the war may weaken the authority and respect for the Arab family dictatorships across the gulf. These leaders are not popularly elected. They are families who were installed into their positions of power during colonial times.

In contrast, Iran believes an Islamic state should be led by Islamic intellectuals, such as Iran is led by a Mullah.

If this war continues for a long period of time, there could be a repeat of the Arab Spring like revolts against these family regimes in the Gulf.

This would change the nature of Gulf societies where the Arab family elites are weakened or even removed. This would send a clear message to other monarchies around the world that their days are numbered, especially those put into place by the British in colonial times. The nature of Islam will change too as Islamic intellectuals rather than dictators would control it.

Iran’s military mocks Trump’s claims of ceasefire talks, strikes Gulf states overnight

Middle East crisis live: Iran’s military mocks Trump’s claims of ceasefire talks, strikes Gulf states overnight


Iran says it fired missiles at Israel and US forces in bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain; military spokesman asks US if it is ‘negotiating with yourselves’

Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage. Photograph: AP


Taz Ali (now) and Eva Corlett (earlier)
Wed 25 Mar 2026 20.45 AEDT


From 4h ago

17.56 AEDT


An Iranian military spokesperson mocked US attempts at a ceasefire deal, insisting Americans were only negotiating with themselves. Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari’s statement came after the Trump administration reportedly sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran through Pakistan.

Even as Donald Trump claimed productive negotiations to end the war were ongoing with Tehran, Iran’s relentless bombardment of the Gulf states showed no sign of relenting. Kuwait and Bahrain were both hit with damaging strikes on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, as the patience of the Gulf states after rebuffing constant attacks for almost a month began to wear thin.


The World Trade Organisation warned disruptions to international fertiliser supplies caused by the closing of the strait of Hormuz will cause food scarcity and high prices. A third of the world’s fertilisers normally transit the strait.


Oil prices fell nearly 6% and Asian shares gained, after reports Donald Trump had sent a peace plan to Iran fuelled optimism in the market. A barrel of Brent crude was down 5.92% at $98.30, while benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down 5.01% at $87.72.


Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed nine people, state media reported. Citing the health ministry, Lebanon’s official National News Agency said strikes had killed people across towns and a Palestinian refugee camp.


News that Trump had approved the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East further undermined the US president’s repeated claims of successful peace talks. Iran has previously threatened to mine the gulf surrounding the island if the US appeared to be landing troops.

Singapore says no action against father-son duo over Israel-linked volunteering, warns such involvement now unacceptable

Singapore says no action against father-son duo over Israel-linked volunteering, warns such involvement now unacceptable



Singapore authorities say no action was taken against a father and son over past overseas volunteering, but warn similar involvement today could breach the law. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 10:08 AM MYT


SINGAPORE, March 25 — Singapore authorities have cleared a father and son who volunteered with an Israel-linked organisation nearly a decade ago, but warned that similar involvement today would not be tolerated under current laws.

Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the pair’s 2016 stint with the Sar-El Volunteer Corps did not amount to military service, after investigations found they “were not involved in any military activity with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)”, according to The Straits Times.

The clarification came after a blog post written by the son resurfaced online earlier this month, prompting scrutiny over Singaporeans’ possible links to foreign military groups.

Authorities said the duo had volunteered for about two weeks in December 2016, performing non-combat tasks such as “packing, painting, sorting, cleaning, washing and cooking”.

At the time, the father had written to Singapore authorities to check if his son could take part in the programme as part of a school volunteering requirement. Based on the information available then, officials assessed that participation “did not constitute service in a foreign military”.

However, by the time a response was issued, both had already completed the stint.

The ministries stressed that the son’s participation “was not endorsed or authorised” and was undertaken “of his own volition, with full awareness of the risks involved”.


The issue resurfaced after a blog post written between 2018 and 2019 — which included references to Sar-El and encouraged volunteering — began circulating again on social media in March. Following engagement by Singapore’s Internal Security Department in 2025, the post was taken down.

Despite the renewed attention, authorities said no action was taken against the pair based on the facts known at the time.

Still, Singapore has drawn a sharper line going forward.

MHA and Mindef noted that Sar-El’s current positioning — including statements that volunteers “work side by side with soldiers on IDF bases” and contribute directly to Israel’s security — would make such involvement unacceptable today.

They warned that any Singaporean found engaging in activities linked to foreign military organisations in a way that prejudices national security “would be dealt with in accordance with our laws”.

The case comes amid wider concerns about Singaporeans’ potential involvement in overseas conflicts. Earlier reports had suggested that individuals with links to Singapore may have joined the Israeli military, though authorities said there was “no substantial information to confirm” those claims.

Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam reiterated the government’s longstanding position in Parliament: “Singaporeans should not participate in any foreign armed conflict not involving Singapore. Our loyalties as Singaporeans should only be to Singapore.”

***

Was that you, TS? Wakakaka😂😂😂

Israel hammers Tehran as Trump claims US closing in on war deal

Israel hammers Tehran as Trump claims US closing in on war deal



Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on March 25, 2026. — AFP pic

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 11:56 AM MYT


CAIRO, March 25 — Israel struck the Iranian capital Tehran today, Israeli military and Iranian media said, as President Donald Trump said the US was making progress in its efforts to negotiate an end to the war, with reports of a 15-point plan sent to Tehran.

The Israeli Defence Forces said in a Telegram post it had launched a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran. The semi-official Iranian SNN News Agency said the strikes hit a residential area in the city, with rescuers searching the rubble.


Kuwait and Saudi Arabia said today they had repelled fresh drone attacks, without stating where they originated. Drones targeted a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, causing a fire but no casualties, Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had launched a new wave of attacks against locations in Israel including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, Iranian state media reported.


Trump said yesterday the US was in “negotiations” to end the war, which has already killed thousands and created the worst energy shock in history, leading to global fuel shortages and roiling markets.


Stocks rose and oil prices fell today on reports the US is seeking a month-long ceasefire and had sent a 15-point plan to Iran for discussion, raising hopes for a resumption of oil exports out of the Persian Gulf.

Trump told reporters at the White House the US was talking to “the right people” in Iran to end hostilities, adding the Iranians wanted to reach a deal very badly.


Iran’s powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Monday dismissed such reports as “fake news.”

15-point plan sent to Iran

The New York Times reported yesterday that Washington sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East. Israel’s Channel 12, quoting three sources, said the US was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the 15-point plan.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that the US had sent a plan to Iran but provided no further details.

The Israeli media outlet said the plan would include the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, ceasing support for proxy groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 after saying they had failed to make enough headway in talks aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear programme, although mediator Oman said significant progress had been made.

Since then, Iran has attacked countries that host US bases, struck Gulf energy infrastructure and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

Iran has told the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that “non-hostile vessels” may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, according to a note seen by Reuters yesterday.

The effective closure of the waterway, where 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas normally transits, has created the worst energy supply shock in history, sent fuel prices soaring, and disrupted global aviation.

Pakistan offers to hold US-Iran talks

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said yesterday he was willing to host talks between the US and Iran on ending the war, a day after Trump postponed threats to bomb Iranian power plants after what he called “productive” talks.

Pakistan has long-standing ties to neighbouring Iran’s Islamic Republic and has been building a relationship with Trump.

Despite reports of negotiations, the Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday, adding to a massive US military buildup.

The forces will add to the 50,000 US troops already in the region and accelerate Washington’s massive US military buildup there, fuelling fears of a longer conflict. — Reuters

***

Shailoks have been able to bombard Iran only with wankee supplied planes and ammo. Without logistic support of its wankee slave, Israel is pretty useless and just your average parasite.

Japan calls break-in ‘regrettable’ after soldier breaches China embassy in Tokyo

Japan calls break-in ‘regrettable’ after soldier breaches China embassy in Tokyo



A policeman stands guard at an entrance to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo March 25, 2026. — AFP pic

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 2:13 PM MYT


TOKYO, March 25 — Japan said today it was “regrettable” that a member of the Japanese military broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, after Beijing expressed shock over the incident.

The break-in has further soured relations between Beijing and Tokyo that have suffered since comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about the self-ruled island of Taiwan.


China lodged a protest following the incident yesterday, in which Beijing’s foreign ministry said the man threatened to kill diplomats.

Japan’s top government spokesman Minoru Kihara said: “It is truly regrettable that a Self-Defence Forces member, who is expected to comply with the law, has been arrested on suspicion” of entering the embassy premises.

“Police are already conducting an investigation to clarify what happened and have implemented necessary measures to strengthen security” of the embassy, he told a press conference.


“We will take necessary steps to prevent any recurrence of such incidents,” he added.

Separately, a police spokesman told AFP that the suspect, Kodai Murata, 23, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of trespassing after he broke into embassy grounds around 9am (0000 GMT).


The suspect told police investigators that he was “hoping to meet the ambassador to tell him to refrain from making hardline remarks, and if that request was rejected, I wanted to surprise him by killing myself,” the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing unnamed sources.

Japan’s national broadcaster NHK said a knife was later found at the scene.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said yesterday that Beijing was “deeply shocked” by the incident and had “lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side”.

Ties between Japan and China have deteriorated since Takaichi suggested in November that Japan might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.

China, which regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it, was furious over the comments. — AFP

Iran launches strikes on US bases in Gulf; oil prices drop after Trump ‘peace plan’ report

Middle East crisis live: Iran launches strikes on US bases in Gulf; oil prices drop after Trump ‘peace plan’ report

A woman in Lebanon stands among the ruins of her family home, which was destroyed by an Israeli strike, as the US-Israel war on Iran continues into a fourth week. Photograph: Manu Brabo/Reuters


Taz Ali (now) and Eva Corlett (earlier)

Wed 25 Mar 2026 18.39 AEDT

From 4h ago

15.15 AEDT
Opening summary

Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and its wider repercussions in the Middle East and globally.

More American troops are prepared to head to the Middle East. At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent in the coming days, three people with knowledge of the plans told the Associated Press. The 82nd airborne is an elite infantry division that can typically be deployed on short notice and specialises in forcible entry parachute assaults. Donald Trump has reportedly approved the deployment.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices fell sharply in early Wednesday trading after Trump sent a peace plan to Iran and voiced optimism about ending nearly a month of war.

After rising in Europe and the US on Tuesday, Brent crude was down 6% at $98.30, and the contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down 5% at $87.72.

Early on Wednesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had launched a new wave of attacks against locations in Israel including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, according to Iranian state media.

In Lebanon, state media reported Israeli strikes had killed at least six people in a town and a Palestinian refugee camp in the southern Sidon area, and three more in another town. In addition, Israel, which occupied southern Lebanon for nearly two decades until 2000, has said its military would take control of the border area up to the Litani river, around 30km (20 miles) from the frontier.

The Israeli campaign has killed at least 1,072 people in Lebanon, with more than one million people displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.

Here are the key developments:

The US has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war, sources told Reuters, with the New York Times saying the plan was delivered by way of Pakistan. It is unclear if Israel is on board with the proposal, nor if Iran is likely to accept it as a basis for negotiations.


Donald Trump claimed negotiations to end the Iran war are happening “right now” and that Tehran had agreed to “never” have a nuclear weapon, declaring that “we’ve won this war” to reporters in the Oval Office. He further claimed Tehran gave him a “gift” which was “oil and gas-related” which involved the strait of Hormuz, without giving further details.

This comes a day after Iranian officials denied any contact with the US had taken place and called claims of such talks “fake news” designed to “manipulate” oil markets.

News that Trump had also approved the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East further undermined the US president’s repeated claims of successful peace talks. The extra troops have not yet left the US but will be sent overseas in the coming days, sources told AP. Iran has previously threatened to mine the gulf surrounding the island if the US appeared to be landing troops.


Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have fired missiles at Israel and US forces in bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, state media reported. Kuwaiti officials reported a fire at the airport after a drone hit a fuel tank.


Approximately 290 US troops have been wounded so far, CNN reports, with 13 soldiers killed in action. Over 1,500 Iranians have been killed, Iran’s state broadcaster said on 21 March.


Lebanon faces an “existential crisis” after Israel announced plans to seize and occupy large swathes of the country’s south to create a so-called “security zone”, officials say. Many Lebanese fear that IDF plans to create a “buffer” south of the Litani River — 20 miles from the current Israel-Lebanon border — will become a long-term occupation.


A projectile has hit the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, who were informed of the strike by Iran. There was no damage to the facility or staff and conditions at the plant remain normal, the IAEA said on X.

Rafizi says ‘it’s not me’ amid RM9.5m PKR MP claim, jokes only Aidilfitri weight gained in Instagram post

Rafizi says ‘it’s not me’ amid RM9.5m PKR MP claim, jokes only Aidilfitri weight gained in Instagram post



The former PKR deputy president responded with humour, saying the only thing he had “received” during the Aidilfitri period was an increase in body weight rather than any cash, as alleged. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 3:13 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has denied allegations linking him to claims that a PKR MP received RM9.5 million to resolve a corporate mafia-related issue, saying “it’s not me” in a brief Instagram post.

The former PKR deputy president responded with humour, saying the only thing he had “received” during the Aidilfitri period was an increase in body weight rather than any cash, as alleged.

“But since I’m still in the festive mood, I will comment tomorrow instead,” he said in the Instagram post.

The response comes amid growing controversy following allegations by businessman Victor Chin Boon Loong, who in a 40-page document detailed a chronology of events claiming a PKR MP had demanded RM10 million to settle a corporate mafia-related matter.

According to various media reports, Chin alleged he was only able to provide RM9.5 million initially, while the remaining RM500,000 was never handed over as the issue was not resolved as promised.

The corporate mafia allegations centre on claims that senior officials from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) orchestrated intimidation campaigns and pressured executives and shareholders of listed companies to resign or divest their stakes at discounted prices to connected businessmen.


MACC has denied the allegations, describing them as an attempt to undermine the credibility of its investigations and enforcement actions, and said the claims appeared to originate from an anonymous online blog lacking clear authorship or accountability.

Separately, police confirmed that several premises linked to Victor Chin in Kemensah and Sungai Long in Kajang were raided on March 16 to assist investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, Malaysiakini reported

MOE directs schools to boost preparedness for hot weather, postpone outdoor activities if temperatures exceed 35°C

MOE directs schools to boost preparedness for hot weather, postpone outdoor activities if temperatures exceed 35°C



In a statement today, the MOE said key measures include postponing outdoor activities if temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius and monitoring activities that may expose students to hot conditions to safeguard their health. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 2:14 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, March 25 — All educational institutions under the Ministry of Education (MOE) have been instructed to enhance preparedness and take appropriate measures to cope with hot weather when schools reopen this Monday (March 30).

In a statement today, the MOE said key measures include postponing outdoor activities if temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius and monitoring activities that may expose students to hot conditions to safeguard their health.

“Institutions must ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water and encourage students to consume sufficient fluids to regulate body temperature,” the statement said.

The ministry also stressed that schools must provide drinking water to boarding students in critical situations where no other sources are available, and remain vigilant by coordinating with nearby clinics and hospitals in the event of heat-related health complications.


School management may also consider allowing students, teachers and support staff to wear appropriate sports attire during hot weather, depending on prevailing conditions.


The ministry emphasised that all institutions must remain alert to current hot weather conditions in their respective areas and comply with guidelines issued from time to time.

According to the academic calendar, Group A states — Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu — are on holiday from March 20 to 28.


Group B states — Melaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, are on holiday from March 21 to 29. — Bernama

***

Time to aircon classrooms - nuclear power helps, with trains also running on nuclear juice

MetMalaysia places Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling under Level 2 heat‑wave alert, with 16 other areas at Level 1

 

MetMalaysia places Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling under Level 2 heat‑wave alert, with 16 other areas at Level 1



Three districts in Kedah are currently recording a Level 2 heat wave, while 16 other areas across Peninsular Malaysia are at Level 1 which is on alert as of this morning. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 1:47 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Three districts in Kedah are currently recording a Level 2 heat wave, while 16 other areas across Peninsular Malaysia are at Level 1 which is on alert as of this morning.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) in its hot weather status update as of 6am today announced that the districts affected by Level 2 in Kedah are Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling.

Meanwhile, the 16 areas placed under Level 1 are Sik, Padang Terap, Kubang Pasu, Langkawi, Kuala Muda, Kulim and Bandar Baharu in Kedah; the entire Perlis as well as the North East and North areas in Penang.

Also recording the same status are Hulu Perak, Selama, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar in Perak, in addition to the Jerantut and Raub districts in Pahang.


Level 2 status or heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is in the range of 37 to 40 degrees Celsius for a period of at least three consecutive days.


Meanwhile, Level 1 status refers to daily maximum temperatures reaching 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days. — Bernama

Iran strikes dent Qatar LNG output, ‘force majeure’ declared on China, Italy, Belgium and South Korea contracts

Iran strikes dent Qatar LNG output, ‘force majeure’ declared on China, Italy, Belgium and South Korea contracts



Missile attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex have disrupted LNG production, prompting ‘force majeure’ on supply contracts. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 8:41 AM MYT


RABAT (Morocco), March 25 — QatarEnergy said yesterday it has declared “force majeure” on some liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contracts with four countries following Iranian missile attacks that damaged key facilities, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

The measure applies to contracts with China, Italy, Belgium and South Korea, it said in a statement cited by Qatari media, including Al Jazeera and Al Sharq.

“Force majeure” is a legal clause in contracts, particularly long-term oil and gas supply agreements, that allows suppliers to suspend obligations such as delivery schedules without penalties due to events beyond their control, such as attacks on key infrastructure.

Missile strikes targeted its Ras Laffan industrial complex March 18 and 19, causing significant damage, including to two LNG processing units and a gas-to-liquids facility, it said.


QatarEnergy added that it is continuing to assess the full effect of the attacks on operations and the timeline for repairs.


On March 19, Energy Minister and QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said the attacks reduced Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17 per cent, and caused an estimated US$20 billion in annual revenue losses, according to a statement by the company.

He added that repairs could take up to five years, forcing the company to declare “a prolonged force majeure.”


The strikes damaged two production lines, trains 4 and 6, with a combined capacity of 12.8 million tonnes per year, accounting for 17 per cent of Qatar’s LNG exports, he added.

On March 4, QatarEnergy notified customers of “force majeure” after production was disrupted due to the war.

The US and Israel have maintained airstrikes on Iran since February 28, killing so far more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation. — Bernama-Anadolu

Minister’s aide lodges police report over alleged defamatory post on Bukit Mertajam Hospital

A special officer to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim has lodged a police report over the spread of allegedly defamatory and racially inflammatory content on social media involving Hospital Bukit Mertajam. — Scoop file pic, March 24, 2026


Minister’s aide lodges police report over alleged defamatory post on Bukit Mertajam Hospital


The Facebook post tarnishes Steven Sim's image and incites racial tension, says the report


Scoop Reporters
Updated 21 hours ago
24 March, 2026
12:14 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR — A special officer to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim has lodged a police report over the spread of allegedly defamatory and racially inflammatory content on social media involving Hospital Bukit Mertajam.

Lim Zheng Han said the report was made following a Facebook post on March 22 that allegedly distorted facts surrounding Sim’s visit to the hospital. Sim is also the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.

He said the visit was aimed at reviewing basic facilities and assessing upgrade needs, but the post carried an unfounded headline claiming that “Hospital Bukit Mertajam will be relocated so as not to disturb a temple — Steven Sim Chee Keong”.

“Such slander not only tarnishes Sim’s image but may also incite tension and undermine harmony in Malaysia’s multiracial society,” Lim said in a statement today, reported Bernama.

Lim added that the report was lodged at the Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters, and called on authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the account owner.

Yesterday, the Hospital Bukit Mertajam visitors’ board denied claims that the hospital would be relocated to avoid disturbing a nearby temple, describing the allegation as defamatory and made with malicious intent.

Earlier, the Facebook post went viral, alleging the hospital would be moved, using Sim’s name and images from his visit to the facility.— March 24, 2026

Trump says Tehran wants deal to end war 'so badly'

Israel and Iran trade new strikes as Trump says Tehran wants deal to end war 'so badly'

Summary


President Donald Trump says negotiations to end the Iran war are happening "now" and the "people" the US are speaking to "want to make a deal so badly" - the price of oil has fallen by around 6%


His comments come a day after Iranian officials denied any contact with the US had taken place, calling claims of talks "fake news"


Israel and Iran are continuing to exchange strikes, while residents of southern Lebanon are warned by the Israeli military to evacuate


The Pentagon is expected to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne division to the Middle East, according to the BBC's US partner, CBS News


Iran saying it will allow "non-hostile vessels" to pass the Strait of Hormuz makes clear Tehran will continue to exert control over the waterway until a deal is struck, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent writes


Iranians tell BBC Persian they "just want to blink and have [the conflict] all done and over" - the Iranian Red Crescent says 82,000 sites have been damaged since the war began


US and Israeli media outlets are citing unnamed sources as saying the US has handed over a 15-point plan to Iran about ending the war - the BBC has not seen the document and is working to verify the reports.

Trump claims US has achieved ‘regime change’, ‘received present’ from Iran

US President Donald Trump has told reporters in the Oval Office that the US has achieved regime change in Iran and received a significant “present” from the new leadership. Iranian officials have denied claims that both sides are talking. 

Can locally grown/produced food cushion Malaysia from global shocks caused by the US-Iran conflict?

Can locally grown/produced food cushion Malaysia from global shocks caused by the US-Iran conflict?



Malaysians are facing rising grocery costs as global energy and shipping disruptions push up food prices, despite stable supply. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Food security and the impending rise in grocery costs are among growing concerns among Malaysians as the US–Iran conflict impacts global oil supply and trade flows.

While the country is unlikely to face immediate shortages, the bigger impact lies in rising costs, as Malaysia remains reliant on global markets for key staples and agricultural inputs that underpin even locally produced food.

However, Malaysia is also known for its local produce. Can this help act as a buffer against a shortage of food supplies?


What food is actually ‘local’?

The country’s first line of defence lies in domestically produced/grown essentials, particularly chicken, eggs and vegetables.

Chicken, among others, is supplied by producers such as Leong Hup International and QL Resources, and remains the country’s most accessible protein, while eggs are widely available through local farms including Teo Seng Capital.

Fish such as mackerel (kembung) and tilapia, supplied through local fisheries and aquaculture players like Blue Archipelago, provide an alternative source of protein, while vegetables grown in areas like Cameron Highlands ensure a steady supply of greens.


Together, these help keep essential food items available even during periods of global uncertainty.


Why ‘local’ food is not fully insulated

However, being produced locally does not mean such food products are fully shielded from global shocks.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu had said the country still depends on imported input to sustain domestic production, including animal feed and fertiliser.

This means that even locally produced food such as chicken and vegetables remain exposed to global price movements, particularly when fuel and commodity costs rise.


Exposed but stable

Several key food items remain heavily dependent on imports.

Rice, the country’s staple, is only partially produced locally, with significant imports sourced from Thailand, Vietnam and India, managed by Padiberas Nasional Berhad.

Mohamad had reportedly said that rice supply remains stable, with the government continuing to diversify import sources to ensure availability.

Wheat-based foods — including bread, noodles and biscuits — are entirely import-dependent, with manufacturers such as Gardenia Bakeries and Munchy’s relying on grain from Australia, Canada and the United States.

Beef and mutton are also largely imported from Australia and India, while dairy products such as milk and butter remain structurally dependent on imports despite the presence of local players like Farm Fresh.

Basic cooking ingredients — onions, garlic and potatoes — are mostly imported, with onions in particular heavily sourced from India.

“For now, the public need not worry. Supplies of rice, chicken, eggs, fish, beef, buffalo meat, fresh milk, vegetables and fruits are sufficient at least until May or June,” Mohamad said.

Malaysia’s dependence on wheat import

Unlike rice or vegetables, wheat is not cultivated in Malaysia.

The crop requires cooler temperatures and specific seasonal conditions, which are not suited to Malaysia’s tropical climate of consistent heat and humidity.

Wheat is typically grown in temperate countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, where distinct seasons support its growth cycle.

As a result, Malaysia relies entirely on imported wheat to meet domestic demand.


How is Malaysia still affected

While Malaysia’s food imports from countries such as Australia and Thailand do not pass through the Middle East, the impact of the conflict is felt through global energy and shipping costs.

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — a key oil transit route — have pushed up fuel prices and freight costs, which in turn affect the price of transporting food into Malaysia.

This still affects Malaysia’s food as everything depends on oil and shipping costs.


How long can Malaysia hold out?

In the short term, the country remains on relatively firm ground.

Rice stockpiles held by Padiberas Nasional Berhad can last several months, while domestic production ensures a steady supply of key essentials.

Mohamad had said there is no immediate concern over food shortages, with supply levels remaining sufficient.

However, the longer global pressures persist, the more costs are likely to build across the supply chain.


No shortages, just higher prices

Malaysia’s domestic production is able to provide a crucial buffer against supply disruptions.

As Mohamad said, Malaysia’s reliance on imported staples and input means the country remains exposed to global shocks, but it is unlikely to face empty shelves, just higher food prices.

China Condemns US Starting 'Vicious Cycle' Of 'Chaos' In Attacking Iran

China Condemns US Starting 'Vicious Cycle' Of 'Chaos' In Attacking Iran

by Tyler Durden
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026 - 02:35 AM


Chinese Special Envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun has said at a briefing after his ​shuttle-diplomacy trip that included recent stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait that the US-Israeli operation against Iran must immediately cease or else a "vicious cycle" toward destabilizing the region and disrupt global trade would persist.

"Should hostilities continue to escalate and the situation deteriorate further, the entire region will be plunged into chaos. The use of force will only lead to a vicious cycle… the war should not have begun in the first place," Zhai declared.

via AFP


Washington's latest war of choice in the Middle East has been focus of growing condemnation from Beijing, with Zhai having added: "The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it." Or this is another way of saying whatever the US broke it must quickly fix.

Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated at the start of this week that continued military action risks deepening instability, and reminded Washington that its past wars in the same region "are not far behind us."

It was only days ago that President Trump called on China and Japan to assist in getting the Hormuz Strait back open, but something which especially China has little incentive to do, as its instead content to watch the US get bogged down in a quagmire amid Tehran's unexpected resilience under the bombs.

Iran has meanwhile held a phone call with China's foreign minister, per Bloomberg: "Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on all parties in the Iran war to seize every opportunity and window for peace and start peace talks as soon as possible, Xinhua reports. Wang made the appeal in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi."

China has long been a powerful ally of Tehran providing with diplomatic cover, institutional support, military cooperation and an economic lifeline - especially as its major oil buyer; however, China is not expected to go further with any kind of direct military support.

There are claims that it could be, alongside Russia, providing some intelligence support though. If this is the case, there is not much Washington can do about it - also as the White House response to widespread reports of Russian intelligence-sharing has been met with some pretty mild and meager statements out of the White House.

Is Steven Sim’s Luck Running Out?

OPINION | Is Steven Sim’s Luck Running Out?


24 Mar 2026 • 10:00 AM MYT



TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit : The Sun

For the past few years, much of the news surrounding Steven Sim has been overwhelmingly positive. His public image has been shaped by narratives of steady promotion, effective leadership, and a reputation as a minister who is both competent and people-oriented. Whether it was his handling of issues related to HRD Corp, his positioning as a “friend of workers,” or general praise for his administrative approach, the trajectory appeared, at least from the outside, to be consistently upward.


However, recent developments suggest a noticeable shift in tone.


In a relatively short span of time, a series of unfavourable headlines and public criticisms have begun to surface. Taken individually, each incident may be explainable. But taken together, they create a perception that is markedly different from the one that had been built over the years.


The first notable signal came during the cabinet reshuffle late last year. While Steven Sim’s move from the Human Resources Ministry to the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry was interpreted by some as a lateral move on paper, but by others, it was seen as a demotion.


I personally don't see the fact that Steven is the first Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry we have had who is a non-Malay offers no advantage too. There is a reason why the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry ministry has always been Malay - the reason is that it is probably because it is only a Malay that can be effective in that position. That Steven is now in a position where a Malay minister is the one that can generally be effective, might just means that he has been “cold-storaged” to a position where he can't shine..


In the last couple of weeks, I am also hearing back to back bad news about Steven.


Last, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke publicly admonished Sim over his conduct in relation to discussions about the next Penang Chief Minister. Loke’s remarks were unusually firm, urging Sim to stop name-dropping and speculation, and emphasising that such decisions rest with the party’s central leadership rather than individual figures.


Now, Loke could have chosen to privately call Sim to admonish him or to admonish him gently in the public sphere, by not singling Sim out, but the fact that Loke chose the opposite is a decision, not an accident.


The jury is still out on why Loke has chosen to publicly puncture Sim's ego in such a way, but whatever the reason is, it doesn't bode well for Sim.


If that was not bad enough, just a couple of days ago, the high has also come out with a decision that has injured Sim's image and reputation.


According to the ruling, a high court has found that in his capacity as Human Resources Minister at the time, Sim had failed to maintain neutrality in a trade dispute involving banks and a workers’ union. The court determined that his engagement with the employers’ association—without equivalent engagement with the workers’ side—amounted to a compromise of his role as an impartial arbiter. In essence, the judgment suggested that the statutory expectations of neutrality attached to his office had not been upheld.


In response, Sim has maintained that he has always stood on the side of workers, pointing to his policy record and past actions as evidence of his alignment.


But I think Steven simply believing that he is someone who stands on the side of the worker or giving examples of his past work in regards to the workers is not enough for him to restore his image and reputation.


At the end of the day, when you are called to referee a trade dispute but choose to engage with the employers’ side and not the workers’ side, it is difficult to see how your belief that you are a friend of the worker can stand the test of reality.


Merely claiming that one has done much for workers, without offering a clear and convincing explanation for why one engaged with employers—especially in private and without engaging the workers’ side—is not sufficient to establish that position.


Afterall, nobody is claiming that Steven is not intelligent. We all understand that intelligent people will hedge.


If I were in Steven’s position, and I were inclined more towards the interests of owners and employers rather than workers, but I also still need the support of workers, I would also take steps that appear favourable to workers in many cases, to win their approval, while in key moments, supporting the employers.


However, if one is truly on the side of workers, or genuinely aims to act in what is right and fair, then there should be either no occasion where one is not seen to support workers, or no situation where one cannot adequately explain one’s actions when questions of ones impartiality arise from reasonable observers.


Engaging with one party but not the other, when one is expected to act as a neutral arbiter in a dispute between both, is not conduct that would satisfy a reasonable person. If Steven is himself a reasonable and fair person, this should be obvious to him, and being obvious to him, he should understand why it is incumbent upon him to provide further explanation to justify his actions, rather than simply insisting on his position as if it is self-evident to everyone that he is who he says he is , just because he says so.


That said, ups and downs are a natural part of life. No one wins or loses forever, so a downturn after a long period of success may simply be a natural phase in Steven’s career.


At the same time, what we do today shapes our future. It may therefore be worthwhile for Steven to use this period to reflect on whether what he has done so far is right or wrong.


If his actions have been right, then he should continue with confidence and not allow this downturn to discourage him. It may be that the good he has done has not yet borne fruit, and with persistence, he will eventually taste the benefit from the results of his good efforts.


On the other hand, if his past actions have been wrong, then this downturn might signal the beginning point of him tasting the bitter fruits of his wrong actions. In that being the case, perhaps now would be a good time to recognise one’s mistakes and correct them, so that their impact is minimised.


Knowing whether one is right or wrong, and whether one should persist or to change course, is a matter of wisdom.


In this period of changing fortunes for Steven, I end by hoping that he is a person of wisdom and is surrounded by wise people.

***

Sim is a politician who knows how to regularly 'promote' his image. But what puzzles me is that he, having been already anointed the next CM of Penang, yet suggested that Lim Hui Ying and Yeoh Soon Hin could possibly be the next Penang CM?

Why?

Being humble? 

Bodeking the Lim Family?

Or, he prefers to be in Federal Government as a minister rather than as the Penang CM?

Malaysia facing fuel shortages

Murray Hunter
Mar 22, 2026


Malaysia facing fuel shortages



Picture Mail Mail


As Malaysians are travelling all over the Peninsula for the Hari Raya break in their cars, major changes to Malaysia’s fuel situation have just become apparent.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahaim said that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz has tightened global supply and the country is feeling the impact of rising global prices triggered by the Gulf conflict. Malaysia is a net importer of crude oil and 80 percent of Malaysia’s imports goes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Petrol rationing along with price increases is already occurring in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Australia. There is a flood of subsidized Malaysian RON95 coming across to Thailand which is now being sold between Baht 25-37 per litre as smugglers are making bumper profits.

International media reports claim that the Singapore Refining and Malaysia’s Pengerang Refining facilities are beginning to reduce output and shutting down units as the crude supplies from the Gulf are waning. Malaysia has promised to supply extra fuel to Cambodia as there are acute shortages in the country, and has other export commitments.

This means that Malaysian consumers may not be guaranteed a steady flow of fuel, particularly if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. There are rumors that Malaysian authorities are already talking to Iranian authorities for permission for vessels to pass through to Malaysia. This means Malaysia will not host any further US military ships to its ports.

What is sure is that the cost of crude will rise substantially and there will be pressure upon the government to pass on some of these increases to Malaysian consumers. The government is already subsidizing Malaysian motorists RM 3.2 billion per month at current prices.

It is estimated the Malaysian refinery may have around 30 day buffer inventories of crude. If Malaysia does not get an alternative source of crude or stop exports to overseas customers, then there will be fuel shortages in Malaysia.

Changing the source of supply is not as straightforward as it sounds, as the refinery will have to be recalibrated to suit the new specifications of incoming crude.

In Malaysia petrol rationing and rising prices at the pump might be inevitable.

Azam Baki Should Stop Preaching New Laws While Selective Enforcement Destroys Public Trust

Murray Hunter


Azam Baki Should Stop Preaching New Laws While Selective Enforcement Destroys Public Trust

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) views MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s latest call for three new laws with deep scepticism and open disbelief.

Mar 24, 2026







PRESS STATEMENT

BORNEO’S PLIGHT IN MALAYSIA FOUNDATION (BoPiMaFo)

23 March 2026

Azam Baki Should Stop Preaching New Laws While Selective Enforcement Destroys Public Trust

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) views MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s latest call for three new laws with deep scepticism and open disbelief.

Let us be blunt:

Malaysia does not mainly suffer from a shortage of laws. Malaysia suffers from a shortage of equal, fearless, and impartial enforcement. Azam’s proposal for laws on misconduct in public office, NGO fundraising, and political funding comes at a time when his own credibility is under heavy public scrutiny. That is precisely why his sermon rings hollow.

The first and most obvious question is this:

Who exactly is Azam trying to impress?

Before demanding new powers, new controls, and new legal machinery, the MACC must first answer for the public perception that corruption enforcement in this country is selective. In Sabah, the mining scandal became a national embarrassment. Yet the public saw charges brought in June 2025 against only three individuals — two Sabah assemblymen and businessman Albert Tei — while wider public questions about the broader scandal did not simply disappear. That is exactly how suspicion of selective prosecution grows.

BoPiMaFo therefore says this plainly:

A new law in the hands of selective enforcers is not reform. It is merely a new instrument of selective pressure.

That is why Azam’s proposal is so troubling. He speaks about “misconduct in public office” and tighter control over NGOs and fundraising, but Malaysians are entitled to ask whether these laws would be enforced impartially, or whether they would become convenient tools against easier targets while politically connected actors remain untouched. The real crisis is not legislative scarcity. The real crisis is trust.

This credibility problem is not abstract. It is personal.

Azam is currently burdened by serious controversy over his own position. In February 2026, reporting highlighted allegations regarding his shareholdings, including reports that he held 17.7 million shares in a financial-services company, prompting a Cabinet-ordered probe. Azam has denied wrongdoing and has since filed a defamation suit over parts of the reporting. But whatever his defence may be, the fact remains that a man under such public scrutiny cannot pretend that the central problem in Malaysia is everyone else’s ethics.

The wider context makes this even worse. Reports this month said Azam’s contract is expected not to be extended when it ends on 12 May 2026, amid mounting pressure and allegations surrounding MACC’s conduct. Whether or not the extension issue is finally decided, it shows one undeniable fact: public confidence in the MACC leadership has been badly shaken.

So Azam should stop acting as though Malaysia’s anti-corruption problem begins with missing statutes.

Malaysia already has the MACC Act 2009, criminal breach of trust provisions under the Penal Code, and other fiscal and public-finance laws that can be used against misuse of funds. Azam himself acknowledged that these laws already exist. The real question is whether they are being used consistently, fairly, and without fear or favour.

BoPiMaFo therefore rejects this latest performance for what it appears to be: an attempt to shift attention from selective enforcement to legislative theatre.

The public is tired of lectures from officials who cannot first resolve the crisis of confidence surrounding their own institutions.

The public is tired of hearing that more laws are needed, when existing laws already seem to be applied unevenly.

The public is tired of seeing anti-corruption rhetoric used as a shield while serious questions remain unanswered.

Our position is simple:

If prosecution is selective, new laws will not clean the system. They will only deepen fear, cynicism, and abuse.

Before proposing new laws for NGOs, public officers, and political funding, Azam Baki should first answer the more basic national demand:

Can the MACC enforce existing laws equally against everyone — or not?

Until that question is answered convincingly, Azam has no business lecturing the nation about integrity.

Daniel John Jambun President

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)