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Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has announced that one of the seven ships previously stranded in the Strait of Hormuz has safely passed through the waters and is now heading to Malaysia.

 

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said six more ships have received approval and are waiting for their turn to pass through the important trade route.

 

The Prime Minister said he was informed of the matter through a briefing by Petronas group president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz today.

 

"With this, we hope, God willing, that the oil supply for April and May will be very well under control," he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Nurussaadah Mosque here, today.

 

The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic narrow passage through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and gas passes, has been disrupted following the ongoing attacks by the United States (US) and Israel on Iranian territory and facilities since Feb 28.

 

The disruption has caused fuel shortages and pushed up oil prices, thus resulting in wider economic impacts.

 

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government was studying measures to reduce the pressure and burden on those affected by the increase in diesel prices.

 

"When it comes to farmers, breeders and fishermen, they have been assisted (given subsidies) but as for other areas... several ministries are studying to reduce the pressure on them," he said.

 

At the same time, the Prime Minister said the government would defend the price of RON95 through the BUDI95 initiative despite the increasingly burdening financial pressure.

 

He said the government's priority is to reduce the burden on the people in facing the current global energy crisis.

 

However, Anwar appealed to the people to join the government in getting through this challenging period by being thrifty.

 

"Even if there is room for 200 litres (fuel quota through BUDI95) we do not necessarily have to use it (in full). It means that there is a contribution, which is that everyone is responsible for saving the country's economy and the people," he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who agreed to allow the Friday sermon in Selangor to explain the energy crisis and invite Muslims to perform prayers for the well-being of the country.