Iran war live: Trump says Tehran wants end to blockade; Israel kills medics

By Edna Mohamed and Alex Milan Durie

Published On 29 Apr 202629 Apr 2026

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• US President Donald Trump claims Iran is in a “state of collapse” and has asked Washington to lift its blockade on Iranian ports “as soon as possible”.
• Gulf leaders have met in Saudi Arabia and say Iran must take “the initiative to make serious efforts to rebuild confidence” after “treacherous” attacks on the region.
• Israel has killed three emergency workers in southern Lebanon, in an attack Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described as a “war crime”.
• The UAE has announced it is leaving OPEC on Friday, ending nearly 60 years of membership in the oil-producing cartel.

27m ago

 (08:15 GMT)

Five people killed by Israeli forces across Gaza in last 24 hours

At least five people have been killed and seven wounded by Israeli attacks across Gaza in the last 24 hours, the Palestinian Health Ministry says.

It added that since the start of the “ceasefire” in October, 823 people have been killed and 2,308 wounded.

Since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, 72,599 people have been killed and 172,411 wounded across the besieged enclave.

• 1h ago

   (07:00 GMT)

  What’s happening in Gaza?

  • Israeli warships have opened fire on the Gaza coastline this morning, while artillery shelling has been reported east of Deir el-Balah in the central parts of the Strip.
  • Some 47 Palestinians who were receiving treatment at hospitals in Egypt have returned to the Gaza Strip.
  • The Ministry of Health has warned that the Strip’s sole functioning oxygen station is on the verge of collapse due to heavy use and repeated breakdowns. A shutdown would threaten the lives of patients dependent on the supply.
  • The Gaza Government Media Office says Israeli forces have violated the “ceasefire” more than 2,000 times since it came into effect in October. At least 818 Palestinians have been killed as a result.
  • On the humanitarian front, aid deliveries remain far below what is needed. Official figures show an average of 227 trucks entering Gaza per day, just 37 percent of the 600 daily trucks required under the humanitarian protocol.

  
• 
  

Thailand courts Singapore for ‘land bridge’ to rival Malacca Strait amid Hormuz crisis

Thailand courts Singapore for ‘land bridge’ to rival Malacca Strait amid Hormuz crisis



A satellite image shows a fleet of small boats at sea north of the Strait of Hormuz near the Kargan coast in Iran on April 22, 2026. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 10:18 AM MYT


BANGKOK, April 29 — The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has given Thailand impetus ‌to advance a longstanding plan to create a logistics link ​between the Indian and Pacific oceans, with its government on Monday seeking to court Singapore as a potential investor.


Thailand’s government has said it ‌is reviving a “Land Bridge” project across its narrow southern peninsula after recent disruptions in ​the Strait of Hormuz underscored the vulnerability of global shipping choke-points, including the nearby Malacca Strait.


The previous administration drafted a law for the Land Bridge but the proposal fell by the wayside during a ​bout of political turbulence, with public hearings and environmental and health impact assessments incomplete and some resistance from residents.

A proposal is expected to be submitted to cabinet in June or July and the government would seek investors for the estimated ฿1 trillion baht (RM121 billion) project, potentially starting in the third quarter, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said ‌at the weekend.


Alternative route

A decades-old idea, the Land Bridge envisions two deep-sea ports, one ⁠in Ranong on the Andaman Sea and ⁠another in Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, linked by ⁠90 km of road ⁠and rail plus energy infrastructure ⁠like pipelines.

The project would offer an alternative route to the Malacca Strait, the 900-km long channel bounded by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, which provides the shortest sea route ⁠from East Asia to the Middle East and Europe.


Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined the plan during a meeting on Monday with Chan Chun Sing, the defence minister of Singapore, a big regional investor that sits at the end of the Malacca Strait, through which more than 100,000 mostly commercial ships passed last year.

“He sees it as ⁠an economic opportunity for Thailand and for foreign investors, if the project can be successfully pushed forward,” Thai government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said, referring to Chan, adding ⁠he expressed interest in the plan.

Indonesia’s finance minister last week caused a stir by ⁠openly musing about ⁠ways countries could impose tolls on ships as a way to monetise the Malacca Strait, before ​saying that would not be possible and leading to ​several subsequent clarifications.

The Land Bridge is regarded ‌as more viable than the “Kra Canal”, a centuries-old idea to ​cut a shipping passage across southern ​Thailand, which met resistence due to environmental, financial and security concerns. — Reuters

What is ‘86 47’? Sea shell message has ex-FBI director Comey accused of ‘threatening’ Trump

What is ‘86 47’? Sea shell message has ex-FBI director Comey accused of ‘threatening’ Trump



A now-deleted image from James Comey’s Instagram page shows sea shells arranged into numbers.

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 11:39 AM MYT


WASHINGTON, April 29 — Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted for threatening the life of Donald Trump, officials said Tuesday, five months after a previous case against the outspoken critic of the US president was thrown out.


The indictment by a grand jury in North Carolina stems from an Instagram post the 65-year-old Comey made in May last year that showed the numbers “86 47” spelled out in seashells.

Trump alleged in an interview with Fox News at the time that “86” was slang for kill and the “47” was a reference to his being the 47th president.

“He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump said. “That meant assassination.”

The indictment alleges the “86 47” reference in the seashell pattern was a “serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States.”


Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Comey faces one count of “willfully making a threat to take the life of and to inflict bodily harm upon the president of the United States” and another of making an interstate threat.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.


“I think it’s fair to say that threatening the life of anybody is dangerous and potentially a crime,” Blanche said. “Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice.”

Comey apologised at the time for the Instagram “86 47” post and said he “didn’t realise some folks associate those numbers with violence.”

“It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” he said.

Comey’s indictment comes three days after a gunman was arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Trump during a dinner in Washington hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association.

Comey was charged in September with making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding in what was widely seen as retribution by the Republican president against a political opponent.

A federal judge threw out the case in November on the grounds the US attorney handpicked by Trump who brought the charges was unlawfully appointed.

The judge threw out a separate case at the same time that was brought against another Trump foe, New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Another Trump critic, his former national security advisor John Bolton, has been indicted for allegedly transmitting and retaining classified information.



Former FBI Director James Comey speaks about his book ‘A Higher Loyalty’ during a discussion at the Brookings Institution in Washington on May 11, 2018. — AFP pic



‘Petty retribution’

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin denounced the latest prosecution of Comey calling the indictment “baseless” and “petty retribution.”

“This is another case of a weaponised Justice Department lashing out on behalf of a vengeful president,” Durbin said in a statement.

Comey was appointed to head the FBI by president Barack Obama in 2013 and was fired by Trump in 2017 amid a probe into whether any members of the Trump presidential campaign had colluded with Moscow to sway the 2016 election.

The September charges against Comey came just days after Trump publicly urged then attorney general Pam Bondi to take action against the former FBI director and others – a stunning departure from the principle that the Justice Department must be free from White House pressure.

Bondi was fired this month, reportedly in part because of her failure to secure indictments of Trump’s political opponents.

Since taking office, Trump has taken a number of punitive measures against perceived enemies, purging government officials he deemed to be disloyal, targeting law firms involved in past cases against him and pulling federal funding from universities.

Blanche, who was named acting attorney general after Bondi’s firing and is Trump’s former personal lawyer, has defended the investigations into his opponents.

“It is true that some of them involve men, women and entities that the president, in the past, has had issues with and believes should be investigated,” he said. “That is his right, and indeed, it is his duty to do that.”

Comey’s indictment comes on the same day as a judge ruled that his daughter, Maurene Comey, can proceed with a lawsuit alleging that her firing as a federal prosecutor last year was politically motivated. — AFP

'Tebuk atap'? KJ reminds Harapan of Anwar's 2008 bid to topple govt

'Tebuk atap'? KJ reminds Harapan of Anwar's 2008 bid to topple govt


Published: Apr 29, 2026 11:28 AM
Updated: 1:47 PM



Khairy Jamaluddin has reminded PKR critics who condemned Negeri Sembilan Umno’s move to declare no confidence in Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun of the 2008 attempt to topple the federal government.

In a series of social media posts, the former Rembau MP challenged those accusing Umno of pursuing a “tebuk atap” (backdoor coup) by drawing a comparison with then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to bring down the BN government at the time.

"Many Pakatan Harapan simps (both team X and team B) unleashing on Umno for being opportunistic and purveyors of backdoor/tebuk atap politics in capitalising on a crisis to stage a coup.

"I suggest everyone (especially the younger generation) to look up what was supposed to happen on Sept 16, 2008 to find out who started tebuk atap politics in Malaysia," he wrote.


READ MORE: 'Tebuk atap' moves in N Sembilan equal to betrayal of voters' mandate - Loke

After returning to Parliament through a by-election victory in August 2008, Anwar set Sept 16 as the deadline for forming a new federal government.

He had promised voters that he would overturn BN's majority by persuading its MPs to defect to the then Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Anwar claimed he had secured sufficient support - over 31 defectors from BN - to take power and urged then premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to hand over the government peacefully, though the attempt ultimately failed.

Former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi


Known as the “916” move, it marked one of Malaysia’s earliest major modern attempts at federal power transition outside of an election.

It foreshadowed later political manoeuvres such as the 2020 Sheraton Move that toppled the Harapan government.

Double standard

Khairy argued that those criticising the latest attempts to destabilise the Negeri Sembilan government on the grounds of global uncertainty were applying a double standard.

He noted that when Anwar sought to topple the federal government, the world was already facing one of its worst economic crises, marked by severe financial instability and a global liquidity crunch.

In other words, Khairy’s point was that Anwar’s move occurred during an equally, if not more, volatile international environment.

In a joint statement yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Umno and BN outrightly rejected allegations that its action constituted a backdoor coup attempt.

"The position taken by the 14 Umno-BN assembly members in Negeri Sembilan was made openly, formally and on the basis of principle.

“It is not a covert action, not backdoor negotiations, and not a movement to seize power. It is a legitimate political stance taken when confidence in the leadership of the menteri besar has been lost,” they said.

The Negeri Sembilan Umno assembly members who withdrew their support for MB Aminuddin Harun


They called on Harapan to understand that the royal tussle in the state was not an ordinary political dispute.

READ MORE: Royal rumble: N Sembilan chieftains 'sack' ruler in tit-for-tat

“It touches on a crisis involving the institution of custom, the state constitution, the Negeri Sembilan state constitution laws, as well as the stability of the state administration," the statement added.

Yesterday, Anwar confirmed that Aminuddin will remain menteri besar, following Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s decree.

He also stressed that matters involving the chieftain institution are being addressed through legitimate channels, proper processes, and the wisdom of the undangs themselves.

Ready to become opposition

Negeri Sembilan BN chairperson, Jalaluddin Alias, had said that they are prepared to become the opposition if Harapan continues to lead the state.

He added that the BN state representatives’ withdrawal of support was not aimed at seizing the menteri besar post, but at defending Negeri Sembilan’s traditional institutions.

The Negeri Sembilan state assembly building


Khairy praised this move and advised Negeri Sembilan Umno to send a letter to the state assembly speaker to convene a special sitting for a formal vote of no confidence.

"Since Harapan detests statutory declarations (trauma from Perak, 2008), even though the Federal Court had ruled that SDs are acceptable for the monarch to determine who commands the support of the majority of the legislative assembly, they should be brave enough to face a confidence vote," the former health minister added.


2008 Perak crisis

The Perak event Khairy was referring to is the political crisis in 2008-2009, which arose after the Pakatan state government lost its majority when three assemblypersons defected, allowing BN to claim control of the state assembly.


READ MORE: Firing and hiring an MB: Lessons from Perak crisis


Instead of holding a fresh election or a formal vote of confidence in the state legislature, BN presented SDs from assembly members to demonstrate that they now had a majority.

Then Perak ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, relying in part on these representations, concluded that the then menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin no longer commanded confidence.

This led to a constitutional dispute over whether SDs alone were sufficient to determine majority support. Sultan Azlan then appointed Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new menteri besar, a decision later upheld by the Federal Court, which confirmed the legality of the appointment.

Malaysians paying twice for poor waste management, says researcher

Malaysians paying twice for poor waste management, says researcher


Keeren Sundara Rajoo says solid waste management and public cleansing account for 40% to 80% of local authority expenditure in Malaysia

According to the World Health Organization, improper waste disposal can contaminate air, water, and soil, while open burning exposes public waste to harmful pollutants.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are unknowingly paying twice for poor waste management through public spending and hidden costs such as pollution and health risks, a researcher says.

Keeren Sundara Rajoo of Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak said that solid waste management and public cleansing account for between 40% and 80% of local authority expenditure in Malaysia, the Borneo Post reported.

“People may not see a separate charge for waste, but they are already paying for it through local authority spending,” he was quoted as saying.


He said the high cost involved in waste management meant that funds for essential public amenities such as roads, schools, and clinics were reduced, adding however that the impact went beyond monetary concerns.

He said the public had to “pay for it” directly via taxes and indirectly through pollution, environmental degradation, and the loss of recyclable value.

According to the World Health Organization, improper waste disposal can contaminate air, water, and soil, while open burning exposes public waste to harmful pollutants.

“When waste is poorly separated, contaminated, or handled inefficiently, the cost does not disappear,” he said.

Mami Irie, a professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture, said waste should no longer be treated solely as a disposal issue, but as a broader economic and public health challenge.

She said poor waste management was not only a financial burden but also a public health concern.

“When food and other recoverable materials are wasted instead of being properly reused or recycled, society loses resources, and people ultimately feel the impact in their environment and quality of life,” she said.

Why the UAE is leaving Opec: The US$150b conflict with Saudi Arabia that will reshape energy markets

Why the UAE is leaving Opec: The US$150b conflict with Saudi Arabia that will reshape energy markets



Opec Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais attends the United Nations climate change conference COP29 in Baku on November 20, 2024. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 10:31 AM MYT


LONDON, April 29 — Opec and its allies will lose ‌some of their power over the oil market when the United Arab Emirates leaves the group on May 1, but the rest of ​the producer alliance is likely to stick together and continue to coordinate on oil supply policy, Opec+ delegates and analysts said on Tuesday.


The UAE is the fourth-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and said it would quit the group on Tuesday after nearly 60 years as a member. That will free Abu Dhabi from the oil ‌production targets imposed by Opec and its allies to balance supply and demand.


The UAE’s exit came as a shock, said five Opec+ sources, who asked not to be named as they ​are not allowed to speak to the press.

The exit would complicate Opec+’s efforts to balance the market through adjustments to supply because the group would have control over less of global production, four of the five sources said.

The UAE will become the largest oil producer to depart Opec, a heavy blow to the organisation and its de facto leader Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi pumped around 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) or about 3 per cent of the world’s crude supply before the US-Israeli war on Iran forced it ​and other Middle East Gulf producers to curb shipments and shut down some production.


Opec and the Saudi government communication office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Once outside Opec, the UAE will join the ranks of independent oil producers that pump at will, such as the United States and Brazil. For now, there is not much the UAE can do to increase production or exports due to the effective closure of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If and when shipping recovers to pre-war levels, the UAE could increase output to the country’s capacity of 5 million bpd of crude oil and liquids.


There has been tension between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the Emiratis’ production quota, which stands at 3.5 million bpd. The UAE has asked for a bigger quota to reflect the fact that ‌it had expanded capacity as part of a $150 billion investment program.

“For years, Abu Dhabi has been looking to monetise its investment in expanding capacity,” said Helima Croft from RBC Capital Markets. The US-Israeli war on Iran would, ⁠however, slow those plans down after drones and rockets damaged the UAE’s production facilities, she said.

The war has resulted ⁠in the biggest-ever global energy supply disruption in terms of outright daily oil production, according to the International Energy Agency. The conflict has also exposed discord among ⁠Gulf nations, including between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Rumours of ⁠the UAE’s exit from Opec+ have circulated for years ⁠amid worsening relations with Riyadh over conflicts in Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. The UAE has also grown increasingly close to the United States and Israel.



UAE Oil Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei arrives at the Opec headquarters in Vienna on December 6, 2019. — Reuters pic



Iraq stays in

The UAE is the fourth producer to quit Opec+ in recent years, and by far the biggest. Angola quit the bloc in 2024, citing disagreements over production levels. Ecuador quit Opec in 2020 and Qatar in 2019.

Iraq, the third-largest producer in Opec+ after Saudi Arabia and Russia, has no plan to ⁠leave Opec+ as it wants stable and acceptable oil prices, two Iraqi oil officials said on Tuesday.

Opec+ will not collapse as Saudi Arabia will still want to manage the market with the help of the group, said Gary Ross, a veteran Opec watcher and CEO of Black Gold Investors.

“At the end of the day, Saudi Arabia was essentially Opec – the only country with spare capacity,” said Ross. Saudi Arabia can produce 12.5 million bpd, but has in recent years kept production under 10 million.

Opec+ membership gives countries more diplomatic and international weight – one of the reasons cited by analysts behind Iran’s decision to stay in Opec even at the peak of its fight with Gulf countries.

US President Donald Trump has accused Opec of “ripping off the rest of the world” by inflating oil prices. Trump has said the US may reconsider military support to the Gulf because ⁠of Opec oil policies.

It was, however, Trump who helped convince Opec+ to cut output in 2020 during the COVID pandemic as oil prices slumped and US producers suffered.

“The UAE withdrawal marks a significant shift for Opec... the longer-term implication is a structurally weaker Opec,” said Jorge Leon, a former Opec official who now works at Rystad Energy.

Opec+ members will be more focused on ⁠rebuilding facilities hit by the war rather than on embarking on production cuts in the near future, said Croft. Hence, the broader Opec+ breakup is not on the cards for now, she added.



People walk past an installation depicting a barrel of oil with the Opec logo during the COP29 United Nations climate change conference in Baku on November 19, 2024. — Reuters pic



Declining power

Opec’s sway over the market has ⁠been declining for decades.

Formed ⁠in 1960, Opec once controlled over 50 per cent of global output. As rivals’ production grew, the group’s share has declined to around 30 per cent of the world’s total oil and oil liquids output of 105 million barrels per day last year.

The United States, which used ​to rely on imports from Opec members, has become its biggest rival over the past 15 years. The US has raised production to ​as much as 20 per cent of the world’s total on the back of its shale oil boom.

The US ‌production spike prompted Opec to team up in 2016 with several non-Opec producers to form Opec+, a group led by Russia – previously one of ​Saudi Arabia’s top rivals in the oil industry.

The alliance gave the group ​control over around 50 per cent of the world’s total oil production in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency. The loss of the UAE means it will decline to around 45 per cent. — Reuters

MetMalaysia flags Level 1 hot weather alert across 17 areas nationwide as mercury climbs past 35°C

MetMalaysia flags Level 1 hot weather alert across 17 areas nationwide as mercury climbs past 35°C



A total of 14 areas in Peninsular Malaysia, two in Sabah and one in Sarawak recorded hot weather at Level 1, or the alert category, as of 6am today. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 10:14 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — A total of 14 areas in Peninsular Malaysia, two in Sabah and one in Sarawak recorded hot weather at Level 1, or the alert category, as of 6am today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said in a statement that the affected areas were Perlis; Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kota Setar and Padang Terap in Kedah; Kuala Kangsar and Hulu Perak in Perak; Jeli, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Machang in Kelantan; Kuala Lumpur; as well as Gombak and Sepang in Selangor.

Also affected were Beaufort and Telupid in Sabah, and Limbang in Sarawak.

According to MetMalaysia, Level 1 status is issued when the daily maximum temperature reaches between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.

The public can refer to the latest information on the hot weather status via MetMalaysia’s official website at www.met.gov.my. — Bernama

Mohamad Sabu says rice stockpile hits 300,000 tonnes as Malaysia braces for rising feed and fuel costs

Mohamad Sabu says rice stockpile hits 300,000 tonnes as Malaysia braces for rising feed and fuel costs



The country’s food supply remains stable for now, with the rice buffer stock reaching 300,000 tonnes, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 9:06 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — The country’s food supply remains stable for now, with the rice buffer stock reaching 300,000 tonnes, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said the local production of chicken and eggs was also close to achieving full self-sufficiency.

Although the current situation was under control, Mohamad said the government remained cautious of challenges arising from rising costs of animal feed, which still relied on imports, as well as fuel prices.

“For vegetables, there are times when oversupply occurs, causing prices to drop. Consumers are happy, but farmers are under pressure.

“So the government is assisting through planting schedules and contract farming systems. Fish supply, however, is slightly affected due to hot weather and rising costs for fishermen, which is why we are intensifying aquaculture as an alternative,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Mohamad said the real impact of the global supply crisis was expected to be more pronounced within the next three to six months, especially as the costs of fertiliser, animal feed and fuel rise.

“Food prices may increase slightly, but the government is working to ensure that there is no sharp hike,” he said.

He said the government had also taken various measures to help ease the burden on the people, including increasing rice stockpiles, opening new paddy fields, improving irrigation systems and developing the local corn industry to reduce reliance on imports.

At the same time, he said assistance and incentives were also being channelled to help farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen sustain their operations.

Mohamad also advised the public to be prepared and to spend according to their needs to avoid wastage.

“If we all remain calm and act responsibly, God willing, we can face these challenges together,” he said. — Bernama

***

What about pork and pig-farming in Selangor?

Ringgit strengthens against US dollar as UAE shocks markets by quitting Opec

Ringgit strengthens against US dollar as UAE shocks markets by quitting Opec



The logo of Opec is pictured at its headquarters in Vienna on October 4, 2022. — AFP pic

Wednesday, 29 Apr 2026 9:15 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar but was mixed against other currencies in early trade today, amid cautious sentiment over oil price volatility and developments in the Strait of Hormuz, an analyst said.


At 8.03 am, the local currency stood at 3.9475/9540 against the greenback, compared with 3.9505/9550 at Tuesday’s close.


Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is expected to trade within a narrow range as market participants await further clarity on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

At the time of writing, oil prices remained volatile following the United Arab Emirates’ exit from the OPEC alliance. West Texas Intermediate fell 0.83 per cent to US$99.10 per barrel, while Brent crude slipped 0.59 per cent to US$110.60 per barrel.


“News of the UAE’s departure from OPEC in May, after more than six decades of membership, is set to reshape the oil and gas landscape. The country will be free to determine its output levels in line with its investment in the sector,” Mohd Afzanizam told Bernama.


However, for now, the focus is on supply cuts amid the war in Iran, which has disrupted the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, he added.

Mohd Afzanizam said US data showed the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 92.8 in April following a ceasefire in the Iran conflict.


However, he added that expectations of a US recession over the next 12 months have risen, while plans to purchase big-ticket items have declined.

“Tonight, the Federal Open Market Committee’s decision will be closely watched for signals on whether policymakers are becoming more wary of growth prospects amid a higher inflation environment,” he said.

At the opening, the ringgit was mixed against a basket of major currencies.

It rose against the Japanese yen to 2.4740/4782 from Tuesday’s 2.4756/4785, but weakened against the British pound to 5.3394/3482 from 5.3292/3353, and slipped against the euro to 4.6261/6337 from 4.6189/6242.

The local currency traded mostly higher against Asean peers.

It edged up against the Singapore dollar to 3.0937/0990 from 3.0943/0983 at Tuesday’s close and strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.1484/1759 from 12.1494/1685.

The ringgit was little changed against the Indonesian rupiah at 228.9/229.4 and was steady against the Philippine peso at 6.44/6.45 from 6.44/6.46. — Bernama

Oil supply recovery could take up to a year if fuel crisis drags on, says economy minister

Oil supply recovery could take up to a year if fuel crisis drags on, says economy minister



Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the recovery of crude oil supply could be delayed between three and 12 months, if disruptions prolong. — Reuters file pic

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 6:40 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Crude oil supply could take between three and 12 months to recover if the ongoing energy crisis persists, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said today.

The economy minister added that the situation could worsen if there was damage to oil and gas infrastructure as time would be needed for repairs.

He also said that oil prices are likely to continue to fluctuate even though the volatility has begun to ease.

“Between April 20 and 24, the average global Brent crude spot price declined by 6.7 per cent to US$109.94 per barrel, compared with US$117.84 in the previous week.

“Despite the weekly average decline, prices showed an upward trend over the same period. Brent crude opened at US$106.02 per barrel on Monday and rose to US$112.92 by market close on Friday, April 24, marking an overall increase of 6.5 per cent,” he said in an online global supply crisis briefing.

He said that the upward momentum continued with the latest closing price on April 27 reaching US$113.34 per barrel, higher than the level on April 24, when markets closed last week.

The minister said the trend indicates that the global supply is still in crisis and could continue to affect a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertiliser production, food packaging, medical devices and construction materials.


He said the government will continue to monitor developments to enable early and proactive mitigation measures.

He said the government is also enhancing the implementation of biodiesel as a measure to extend energy supply, reduce reliance on imports and support local industry.

A high-level biofuels committee has been established to streamline and speed up the agenda.

Akmal said a recent visit to the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) on April 24 focused on assessing its role in ensuring the stability of domestic fuel and petrochemical supply.

“The PIC has a refining capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and produces more than 3.3 million metric tonnes of petrochemicals annually, which are key raw materials for plastics, packaging and other essential goods,” he added.

On food security, he said the government continues to prioritise fertiliser supply and agricultural inputs to safeguard food security, following a visit to a fertiliser manufacturing facility to assess challenges faced by the local industry, particularly uncertainties in raw material supply, rising logistics costs and pressure from input prices.

He said discussions with industry players focused on diversifying raw material sources, improving production efficiency and expanding capacity to meet domestic demand.

“The government is also placing emphasis on the production of bio-organic fertiliser as an alternative to conventional fertilisers. This approach is important to reduce reliance on imported inputs, extend fertiliser supply resilience, and support national food security at a time when the world is facing a global supply crisis.

“This agenda can also be further expanded through a circular economy approach in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan” he added.

This, Akmal said, would reduce waste, create new industry opportunities and support more sustainable agriculture.

Thai govt plans 1,000-baht exit tax on travellers to boost local tourism subsidies

Thai govt plans 1,000-baht exit tax on travellers to boost local tourism subsidies



Thailand is considering a 1,000-baht departure fee to fund cheaper holidays at home for its citizens. — Unsplash pic

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 9:00 PM MYT


BANGKOK, April 28 — Thailand is planning to reintroduce a departure levy on its own citizens travelling abroad, with proceeds earmarked to support domestic tourism programmes.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the proposed 1,000-baht fee (RM121) would be collected from Thai nationals leaving the country under existing legal provisions that allow such a charge, The Bangkok Post reported yesterday.

He said the current legal framework, established under the 1983 Emergency Decree on Departure Levy, remains in force and permits the government to reinstate the fee, which previously stood at 500 baht (RM60.80) before being discontinued.

Surasak noted that the law sets a ceiling of 5,000 baht (RM608) per departure, giving authorities room to adjust the rate if necessary.

He estimated that with around 10 million outbound Thai travellers annually, the measure could generate up to 10 billion baht (about RM1.22 billion) each year.

The revenue would be channelled into a co-payment scheme aimed at subsidising domestic travel costs for Thai citizens.

Surasak added that discussions with the Finance Ministry are ongoing, and the proposal would require Cabinet approval before implementation.

He said he does not expect the levy to significantly deter outbound travel, claiming that travellers are more sensitive to airfares, while the funds raised would ultimately benefit domestic tourism development.

Pakatan condemns ‘betrayal’ by 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno lawmakers

Pakatan condemns ‘betrayal’ by 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno lawmakers



In a strongly-worded media statement issued today, PH Communications Director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil expressed the coalition’s deep regret over what he described as a treacherous move that disregards the welfare of the people. — Bernama pic

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 7:43 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR April 28 Pakatan Harapan (PH) has strongly condemned the actions of 14 Umno state assemblymen from the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in Negeri Sembilan, accusing them of betraying the spirit of the Unity Government and attempting to destabilise the state administration.

In a strongly-worded media statement issued today, PH Communications Director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil expressed the coalition’s deep regret over what he described as a treacherous move that disregards the welfare of the people.

PH rejected what it termed as the “betrayal” by the 14 UMNO-BN lawmakers who allegedly attempted to “topple the roof” and seize control of the Negeri Sembilan state government administration.

“The reasons given by the 14 assemblymen are completely unrelated to the Menteri Besar’s performance,” the statement read.

The opposition coalition argued that Umno-BN’s actions were carried out without considering the people’s welfare, particularly at a time when the Unity Government and the nation are grappling with a global supply crisis while working to manage the economy and reduce the burden on the rakyat (people).

Despite the political manoeuvring, PH reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability in the state. The coalition stated that, as conveyed by PH Chairman to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (Ruler) of Negeri Sembilan, the state government administration under the leadership of the Menteri Besar will continue to operate as usual.

“Pakatan Harapan will continue to extend cooperation to the state government leadership for the sake of the state’s economic stability and the people’s welfare,” the statement emphasised.


The statement also underscored PH’s continued commitment to defending the role and functions of the Malay Rulers institution, signaling that the coalition views this latest political development as not merely a partisan issue but one with broader constitutional implications.

Poultry up slightly, beef cheaper but overall food prices remain controlled, says economy minister

Poultry up slightly, beef cheaper but overall food prices remain controlled, says economy minister



The price of eggs and chicken edged up, but overall food prices are steady in Malaysia, says Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 7:29 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Selected food prices in Malaysia remain broadly stable, with cost-of-living pressures still contained despite early signs of rising input costs, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said today.

He said most food items are continuing to move within a controlled range, with only modest price changes recorded.

“For the period from 20 to 22 April 2026, selected food prices remained on a controlled trend, with price changes kept below 10 per cent,” he said in an online global supply briefing today.

He said the average price of standard chicken rose by 3.3 per cent to RM9.70 per kilogramme, while Grade C chicken eggs increased by 7.3 per cent to RM3.93 per 10 pieces.

However, he said beef prices declined by 3.8 per cent to RM35.92 per kilogramme.

As for produce, Akmal said mustard greens increased from RM6.16 o RM6.51 per kilogramme, spinach rose by almost 5 per cent to RM5.59 per kilogramme, and fresh coconut milk increased by 3.6 per cent to RM16.41 per kilogramme.

“This trend indicates that cost and logistics pressures are beginning to signal early stress within the domestic food supply chain.


“For this reason, monitoring cannot be confined to retail prices alone but must begin upstream, covering fertiliser, diesel, energy, raw materials, production, transportation and distribution,” he said.

He said the government will continue to monitor and implement appropriate measures to help mitigate the impact on consumers and maintain price stability.

***

What about pork?

Coup against Madani in Negeri Sembilan

Murray Hunter
Apr 27, 2026


Coup against Madani in Negeri Sembilan

There is an indication UMNO is heading towards Perikatan Nasional



Negeri Sembilan UMNO state assembly members effectively bring down Madani coalition today



Actions speak louder than words. Just as UMNO vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin is declining to reveal whether UMNO will contest the upcoming scheduled Melaka state election alone or in partnership with other unity government members, his colleagues in Negeri Sembilan have answered the question through their actions.


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


The monarchy drama in Negeri Sembilan has spilled over into the state assembly.

The smile of a coup against the Madani coalition

Today, 14 Negeri Sembilan UMNO state assembly members have withdrawn their support for the current chief minister Aminuddin Harun claiming they have lost all confidence in him due to his handling of the four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of the state.

UMNO’s withdraw of support will not immediately change the government, although four UMNO ADUN’s are executive councilors. UMNO and the Barisan Nasional have 14 seats, to Pakatan Harapan’s 17 members. Perikatan Nasional has 5 members, who are holding a press conference as this is being written.

However, the UMNO move to withdraw support for the chief minister really reflects UMNO grassroot feelings about the UMNO-Pakatan Harapan coalition. There is anger within UMNO over the forming of the coalition from back in late 2022 when the unity government was formed.

Many within UMNO believe that PKR, DAP and Amanah will be a burden for UMNO in the coming general election. This is a clear signal that UMNO will decouple itself from the Madani coalition in the coming general election.

This is a very clear sign that PH and BN must develop their own separate electoral strategies for the coming GE. This is particularly the case where the GE16 campaign will be just as fierce as was the campaign during GE15.

To many PH supporters, UMNO is still the demon it was portrayed during the last general election. UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi only just won his seat of Bagan Datuk in Perak, and many within PKR and DAP wanted him to lose his seat. However, Zahid just scrapped in by a few hundred votes against PKR, where he became the deputy prime minister under Anwar Ibrahim in a coalition.

This has created much resentment along with the charges against Zahid being withdrawn through a DNAA, which appeared to be seen as some form of backroom deal for switching sides from PN to PH after the election.

From the UMNO side many are angry that UMNO had to serve in a government along with the DAP.

UMNO has been circumventing the Madani government through government statutory agencies UMNO controls through political appointees. This clandestine sabotage by UMNO has increased the unpopularity of PH.

UMNO is ready to go alone in GE16 now. The political lines were drawn today in Negeri Sembilan between UMNO and Pakatan Harapan. PN agreeing to cooperate with BN in the Negeri Sembilan state assembly indicates where UMNO is heading for the coming election.

A big move by PAS leadership in Negeri Sembilan today towards Barisan Nasional

***

Unity Coalition - ta'cukup kerusi lah untuk UMNO

Trump unhappy with Iran's latest proposal to end the war

Trump unhappy with Iran's latest proposal to end the war

By Parisa Hafezi and Steve Holland

April 28, 2026

12:01 PM GMT+10

Updated 1 hour ago


Summary

• Iranian plan would set aside nuclear issue until war ends
• Trump unhappy with delaying deal on nuclear programme
• Iran demands blockade be lifted before any negotiations begin

DUBAI/WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal ​on resolving the two-month war, a U.S. official said, dampening hopes for resolution of a conflict that has disrupted energy supplies, fuelled inflation, and killed ‌thousands.

Iran's latest proposal would set aside discussion of Iran's nuclear programme until the war, on hold following a ceasefire announced earlier this month, is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved.

Trump is unhappy with Iran's proposal as he wants nuclear issues dealt with from the outset, said a U.S. official briefed on the president's Monday meeting with his advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity.

White House ​spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the U.S. has "been clear about our red lines" as it seeks to end the war it began in February alongside Israel.

A previous ​agreement in 2015 between Iran and multiple other countries including the U.S. sharply curtailed Iran's nuclear programme, which it has long maintained ⁠is for peaceful, civilian purposes. But that deal fell apart when Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in his first term in office.

Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded ​since the U.S. president scrapped a visit planned for last weekend by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to mediator Pakistan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled in and out ​of Islamabad twice during the weekend. He also visited Oman and on Monday went to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin and received words of support from a longstanding ally.

Iran's Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik said on Tuesday that Tehran was ready to share defensive weapons capabilities and experiences gained from "America's defeat" with "independent" nations including those of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. That bloc includes Iran, Russia, China, India, ​Pakistan and Central Asian states.

OIL PRICES RISE AGAIN

With the warring sides still seemingly far apart, oil prices resumed their upward march, rising nearly 3% on Tuesday and extending gains ​from the previous session.

Chairman Yin Tongyue calls it the 'double T' strategy, drawing from Toyota and Tesla to guide the company’s next phase of growth.

"For oil traders, it's not the rhetoric that matters any more, but the actual physical flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and right now, that flow remains ‌constrained," Fawad ⁠Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com, said in a note.

At least six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have been forced back to Iran by the U.S. blockade in recent days, ship-tracking data showed, underscoring the war's impact on traffic.

Iran's foreign ministry condemned U.S. action against Iran-linked tankers as "outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas", in a social media post.

However, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told state media on Tuesday that Iran had prepared for maritime blockade scenarios as early as the U.S. 2024 presidential election ​and made necessary arrangements so that "there is ​nothing to worry about".

She added Tehran ⁠was using northern, eastern and western trade corridors that do not rely on Gulf ports to neutralise the blockade's effects.

Between 125 and 140 ships usually crossed in and out of the strait daily before the war, but only seven have done so in the ​past day, according to Kpler ship-tracking data and satellite analysis from SynMax, and none of them were carrying oil bound for ​the global market.

With his ⁠approval ratings falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end a war for which he has given the U.S. public shifting rationales.

Senior Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal carried by Araqchi to Islamabad over the weekend envisioned talks in stages, with the nuclear issue to be set aside at the start.

A first step would require ending the U.S.-Israeli ⁠war on Iran ​and providing guarantees that the U.S. cannot start it up again. Then negotiators would resolve the U.S. ​Navy's blockade of Iran's trade by sea and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control.

Only then would talks look at other issues, including the longstanding dispute over Iran's ​nuclear programme, with Iran still seeking some kind of U.S. acknowledgment of its right to enrich uranium.