Anwar says Mideast states are using Malaysia to engage Iran

[KUALA LUMPUR] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signalled that Malaysia could play a role in ending the conflict in the Middle East, saying leaders from Gulf states have used his country as a channel to Iran’s leadership.

“Many of my colleagues in the Gulf and in the Arab world have sought our views and our assistance to convey their concerns,” Anwar said on Thursday (Apr 16) during a joint briefing with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya. 

Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to freedom of navigation following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz for nearly seven weeks, which has disrupted energy supplies and raised prices. He added his nation also “wants guarantees from countries, big powers included, to end animosity, attacks and even sanctions against other countries.”

He said Malaysia, as a neutral party, has been engaging with all sides, noting its ties with Russia while maintaining the US as its biggest investor. Malaysia has longstanding, cooperative ties with Iran.

Anwar said Malaysia will prioritise Australia for any excess diesel once domestic demand is met, as supply constraints grip major agricultural economies in Asia.

He said state oil firm Petroliam Nasional has assured Australia’s needs would be prioritised, but cautioned Malaysia’s supply would be “inadequate in the medium term.”

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Albanese said Australia has secured additional diesel supplies from Brunei and South Korea. At the same briefing, Anwar said Australia has also committed to honouring its liquefied natural gas contracts with Malaysia. BLOOMBERG