External News

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal today suggested placing security assets in locations prone to cross-border crimes instead of setting up base in non-strategic areas, in the wake of the latest kidnapping incident off the state.

“We need to place men where they are needed,” he told reporters after presenting the keynote address at the Forum on New Sabah event here.

“Not for political reasons but for national security. If we can do this, we can deter more cross-border crimes.”

He gave the example of the Lok Kawi army camp near Kota Kinabalu, saying there is no need for it.

He also referred to the vessels owned by security agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency which he said should be placed in districts such as Tawau, Semporna and Lahad Datu.

“Of course, the headquarters should not be stationed at the front line, but we must enhance the number of security personnel and presence in areas where such kidnappings occur,” he said.

The Star Online reported that gunmen with suspected links to the Abu Sayyaf group had kidnapped 10 crewmen from two fishing boats in waters close to the Tawi-Tawi islands off southern Philippines.

According to the report, the boats were believed to be heading to Semporna from Lahad Datu’s Tambisan waters when they were stopped by the gunmen in speedboats sometime after midnight today.

There were six people in the first fishing boat and 10 crewmen in the second. Those who were kidnapped are believed to be Filipinos.

The gunmen are believed to have fled towards Sitangkai island in the Philippines, located about 15 minutes’ boat ride from Tambisan.

When contacted, Sabah police chief Omar Mammah said they had yet to receive an official report although they are aware of the incident.

Shafie too said he was aware of the kidnapping and that those who were abducted are believed to be foreigners.

When asked about the Eastern Sabah Security Command or Esscom, he said he hoped restructuring would take place soon.

“The sooner the better,” he added.

“I have given my opinion to the authorities at the top level. This is to ensure that we are better equipped not only in terms of infrastructure but also in terms of intelligence so that we can better position ourselves.

“We want less talk and more action to ensure that we can catch these criminals,” he said, adding that he understands that the latest kidnapping does not involve Malaysians.

SEOUL: Oil held losses as OPEC and its allies continue to struggle to set a date to discuss an extension to supply cuts and as US economic indicators signal weakening demand.
Futures were little changed in New York after retreating 1.1% on Monday. After talks with his Russian counterpart, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said he was willing to holds talks in July, one week later than the timing proposed by other group members. A Federal Reserve gauge for factories signalled a record slowdown in June, while sentiment among US homebuilders unexpectedly dropped for the first time all year.

Oil has lost about 22% since late April as growing American inventories and an entrenched trade dispute between the US and China continue to cloud the demand outlook. While last week’s attacks on two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about disruption to crude flows, the focus has returned to the struggle by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to fix a meeting on supply cuts that are due to expire at the end of the month.

“Crude remains vulnerable on falling demand expectations from trade uncertainty and OPEC’s inability to solidify its curtailment of future production,” Ed Moya, chief market strategist at Oanda Corp., said in a note. “US factory and housing data showed the world’s largest economy is slowing down faster than expected.”

West Texas Intermediate for July delivery slid 5 cents to US$51.88 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 11:52 a.m. Singapore time. Futures ended Monday 1.1% lower at US$51.93 after capping a 2.7% weekly loss on Friday.

Brent for August settlement lost 4 cents to US$60.90 a barrel on London’s ICE Futures Europe Exchange. Futures slid US$1.07 to close at US$60.94 on Monday. The global benchmark crude traded at a US$8.79 premium to WTI for the same month.

Comments from the Iranian oil minister about his willingness to hold talks next month leave unresolved a one-month impasse that has exposed the political fissures at the heart of OPEC. The group needs to agree on whether to keep restraining oil production for the rest of the year as crude demand shows signs of weakening. Zanganeh indicated he could meet July 10-12. The meeting originally was scheduled for June 25-26, and Russia has been seeking to move it to July 3-4.

The dispute over the timing of the meeting is playing out amid a broader geopolitical confrontation as Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of complicity in attacks on the two oil tankers. Iran has denied culpability.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may just dissolve Parliament early if he is unable to continue as prime minister, PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man predicted as the ruling Pakatan Harapan faces increasing criticism a year after its shock electoral victory.

However, the Islamist lawmaker also said the government is unlikely to risk fresh elections before the expiry of its mandate ― 2023 ― if it is unsure it can retain its power.

“I perceive Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a determined person, he will strive to stabilise the country, including economic matters and so forth.

“However, if he feels that he could not continue, and a new mandate is required, then it is not impossible that he will dissolve Parliament earlier,” Tuan Ibrahim told Utusan Malaysia in an interview published today.

The Kubang Kerian MP also told the Malay daily that the current sex video scandal that has implicated a minister could be an attempt to divert public attention from the real problems happening in the country.

He said PAS is bracing for general election to be called at any time.

The federal Opposition party is holding its annual general meeting in Pahang this week, and some of the party’s leadership positions will also be open for election.

Datuk Tuan Ibrahim said the assembly will be the best platform for the party to grow stronger, noting that unlike the other political parties, it is not wrecked by infighting.

“This is the best time for us to strengthen the party, as we are not being attacked by opponents and this is the time for us to mobilise party members, and strengthen the branches and party organisation,” he was quoted saying.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 ― Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has appointed Aznan Abdul Aziz as its new Assistant Governor effective, July 1, 2019.

In a statement here, the central bank said Aznan would be responsible for the Payments Oversight, Financial Conglomerates Supervision, Banking Supervision, Insurance and Takaful Supervision as well as Risk Specialist and Technology Supervision Departments.

Prior to his appointment, he served in several departments in the BNM.

These included Financial Conglomerates Supervision, Governor’s Office, Islamic Banking and Takaful, Financial Surveillance, Financial Sector Development, Financial Intelligence and Bank Regulation Departments, it said.

Aznan holds a degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. ― Bernama