Gov't, Petronas Not Selling Oil And Diesel To Other Countries - PMO

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The government and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) are not selling oil and diesel to other countries, as previously emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement today that reports involving diesel shipments from Malaysia to Australia actually refer to fuel owned by international companies that is stored in Malaysia before being re-exported.

“The diesel does not originate from Malaysia’s natural resources. It is similar to a previous situation involving the Philippines, where the diesel was not Malaysian, but belonged to international companies that purchased crude diesel from other countries and stored it in Malaysia.

“The fuel is now being sold to Australia through a contract between Viva Energy and BP Australia (as mentioned in the news report), and it is described as ‘from Malaysia’ because the vessel collected the fuel stored in Malaysia,” the statement said.

Previously, there were claims by certain parties alleging that the government was selling oil supplies to Australia while the world is facing a global supply crisis.

Anwar had earlier stressed that Malaysia prioritises domestic fuel needs before supplying any surplus to Australia.

The Prime Minister said that through discussions with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, both countries understood each other’s respective supply requirements.

-- BERNAMA