Melaka: A Malaysian vessel has been cleared to pass through the Red Sea and is expected to arrive in Melaka early next month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He stated that Malaysia's foreign policy and its good relations with other countries had facilitated the resolution of several critical issues and shipping crises effectively.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Petronas president and group chief executive Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz informed the Prime Minister that another Petronas vessel, which departed from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, via the Red Sea, had been granted clearance. The vessel is expected to arrive in Melaka in early August, Anwar announced during the ''Semarak Kenegaraan'' programme at the Basic Training Centre of the Malaysian Army (PUSASDA).
The event was attended by key officials including Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, and Chief of Army General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman. The Red Sea has become a high-risk shipping route due to attacks on commercial vessels by the Iran-backed Houthi group from Yemen.
On Monday, the Houthis declared a "blockade" on Saudi Arabian vessels following fresh confrontations with the neighboring country, which has been in conflict with the group for over a decade. The Prime Minister highlighted that Malaysia's good relations with Iran's leadership had enabled direct communication, aiding in the peaceful and swift resolution of the issue.
Anwar elaborated on how Malaysia's diplomatic ties allowed him to directly contact the President of Iran when a Petronas vessel was blocked a few months ago. The Malaysian tanker Ocean Thunder was among the first to receive passage through the Strait of Hormuz, arriving safely at Pengerang Terminal in Johor on April 17.
Passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, was disrupted due to continued US and Israeli attacks on Iranian territory since February 28. A memorandum of understanding on a peace agreement between the US and Iran was later signed, with a final agreement expected within 60 days. However, recent US attacks across Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes have heightened tensions.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the MADANI Government's approach of maintaining good relations with major powers like the United States, China, the Gulf states, and Iran demonstrated Malaysia's ability to safeguard its strategic interests while maintaining its principled stance. Despite maintaining good relations, Malaysia convened a special Parliament sitting to condemn attacks by Israel and the United States, showcasing its commitment to justice and peace.