Dr M: Where does 'the amazing liar' get his facts and figures?
Labelling Anwar 'the amazing liar', the former prime minister took aim at his successor's claim that his sons Mokhzani and Mirzan are worth 'RM1.2 billion and RM4 billion'.
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The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
ACWA Power boosts Malaysia's clean energy leadership with regional hub
KUALA LUMPUR: ACWA Power's decision to establish its Southeast Asian hub in Malaysia reinforces the country's role as a regional leader in sustainable energy. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this as a milestone in Malaysia-Saudi Arabia collaboration following discussions at the ASEAN-GCC Summit. The Riyadh-based company signed an MoU with MIDA in May to advance clean energy projects nationwide. ACWA Power aims to achieve a 12.5-gigawatt capacity by 2040, backed by an estimated US$10 billion investment. Anwar noted the investment aligns with Malaysia's energy transition policy, creating skilled jobs and enabling technology transfer. The firm is partnering with TNB Power Generation, UEM Lestra, and Terengganu Incorporated to develop renewable energy, hydrogen, and CCGT projects under the NETR framework. - Bernama
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
The dialogical basis of Anwar Ibrahim's Nobel Prize nomination — Osman Bakar and Phar Kim Beng
AUGUST 7 — In the realm of international recognition for peace and justice, the Nobel Peace Prize stands as the world's most prestigious accolade. While the prize is often awarded for mediating ceasefires or ending wars, it is equally important to remember that peace is a process, not merely a momentary cessation of violence. It is in this broader, global civilisational sense that we offer our endorsement of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's nomination — not solely for his timely role in the Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire, but for something far more enduring: his lifelong contributions to the culture of dialogue. His role in the ceasefire, we believe, is not only born out of his sense of responsibility as ASEAN chairman and his 'love thy neighbour' philosophy but more importantly as a clear expression of his lifelong commitment to the pursuit of peace through dialogue. Indeed, even well before the recent escalation between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, there were sustained discussions among scholars, thinkers and civil society leaders about nominating Anwar Ibrahim for the Nobel Peace Prize. Our reasons were rooted not in the tactical diplomacy of a single event, but in the strategic and ethical ethos that Anwar has exemplified over decades: the empowerment of dialogical culture across civilisations, religions and political fault lines. Anwar Ibrahim's public life has consistently been defined by his belief in the power of words over weapons, and in the transformative potential of mutual understanding over mutual suspicion. From his early involvement with Islamic civil society movements in the 1970s, to his intellectual engagement with global thinkers like Ismail Al-Faruqi, John Esposito, even the works of Izutsu Toshiko, Anwar has consistently called for the harmonisation of faith, reason and governance through dialogue. He has embodied what we may call a 'civilisational mediator' — a leader who recognises that conflicts, even geopolitical ones, are rooted in deeper epistemological and cultural misunderstandings. The current ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, brokered in part through Malaysia's quiet but deliberate diplomacy under Anwar's chairmanship of ASEAN, is a case in point. While the dynamics of great power politics may shape regional developments in complex ways, this should not detract from the dialogical infrastructure that made the ceasefire possible. Moreover, it is continuing dialogue — the spirit of which flows in his blood veins — that will help sustain peace between the two nations and in the region beyond Anwar's chairmanship of ASEAN and even premiership of Malaysia. The success of any negotiation is built on years of trust, cultural literacy and principled leadership. This is precisely where Anwar's lifetime of work in fostering interfaith dialogue and regional understanding becomes invaluable. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's civilisational positioning of Malaysia as a bridge nationhas become a model of peaceful coexistence in an increasingly fractured global order. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin His leadership in convening the ASEAN–GCC Summit, coupled with China's active participation in the ASEAN–GCC–China Summit, represents a defining moment of dialogical diplomacy. These summits were not merely symbolic. They brought together diverse civilisational blocs — Southeast Asia, the Gulf and East Asia — into a single framework of cooperation grounded in mutual respect, shared values and an agenda for peace and development. That such a summit could take place under Malaysia's chairmanship, with Anwar at the helm, reflects his profound ability to orchestrate dialogue at a civilisational scale. It is worth recalling that Nobel Peace Laureates are not chosen merely for stopping a war. Many have been honoured for laying the groundwork for future peace — by building institutions, creating intellectual bridges or planting seeds of understanding in hostile terrains. In this regard, Anwar's lifelong commitment to the dialogical method — to resolving difference through deliberation rather than domination — resonates with the highest ideals of Alfred Nobel's vision. Anwar Ibrahim's political trials have also forged in him a moral authority that cannot be manufactured. His years in prison did not diminish his belief in reconciliation. Upon returning to power, he chose dialogue over vengeance, inclusion over exclusion. This is not just a political choice — it is a philosophical and a moral one, a commitment to the idea that democracy, like religion, must be grounded in a culture of ethical conversation and mutual respect. Moreover, his civilisational positioning of Malaysia as a bridge nation — between East and West, Islam and the modern world, between liberalism and tradition — has become a model of peaceful coexistence in an increasingly fractured global order. Whether through the ASEAN–GCC–China platform, Track II diplomacy, or his writings and speeches on the spiritual and ethical foundations of governance, Anwar's hand has always been visible, guiding the conversation toward common ground. Some may argue that the full impact of his dialogical contributions has yet to be measured on the global stage. We submit, however, that the Nobel Peace Prize has always been as much about moral signal as political signal. It is about honouring those who, through patience and principle, have shaped a new architecture of peace, even when global attention is elsewhere. In that spirit, we submit that Anwar Ibrahim's Nobel-worthiness lies not in a single ceasefire — though that alone is commendable — but in a life devoted to the ethics of dialogue. A prize bestowed upon him would be a recognition not only of his past, but a reinforcement of a model the world urgently needs: leadership rooted in humility, guided by wisdom, and committed to dialogue in the service of humanity. Let us not wait until history catches up. Let us recognise now what many already know: that Anwar Ibrahim represents the dialogical conscience of our time. * Emeritus Prof Dr Datuk Osman Bakar is the Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology and Civilisational Studies Rector at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Prof Dr Phar Kim Beng is professor of Asean Studies, IIUM and director, Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies (IINTAS). ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
CPO prices likely to remain steady
PETALING JAYA: Crude palm oil (CPO) prices are facing renewed pressure as stockpiles climb to a 19-month high, raising concerns over the earnings outlook for plantation players. Regardless, analysts foresee prices to remain elevated between RM3,800 and RM4,500 per tonne for the rest of 2025. CPO futures were trading at RM4,220 per tonne at market close, according to Bloomberg data. While prices have declined year-to-date, they have gradually recovered since early May, when the contract was trading at RM3,772 per tonne. The stronger performance comes even as Malaysian palm oil reserves are estimated to have surged nearly 10% a month earlier to around 2.23 million tonnes in July, the highest level in 19 months. Speaking to StarBiz, Malaysia Palm Oil Association chief executive Roslin Azmy Hassan acknowledged the jump in inventory levels is weakening market sentiment, particularly as the July stockpile was recorded to be the highest since December 2023. Roslin shared that the high inventory level was driven by stronger output and weaker demand. 'CPO production in July rose by around 8% compared to June, supported by improved weather, enhanced harvesting efficiency and seasonal yield recovery,' he said. 'However, export growth was not strong enough to match supply. Key buyers like India and China reduced buying due to comfortable stock levels and more competitive pricing from Indonesia,' he added. Looking ahead, Roslin said the inventory buildup could persist over the next two months. 'The high inventory scenario is expected to persist until at least October 2025, coinciding with the seasonal peak production period. 'Unless there are major weather disruptions or a sharp demand recovery, stock levels may only begin to ease in the fourth quarter,' he added. CIMB Securities head of research Ivy Ng Lee Fang shared a similar outlook, saying CPO inventories are likely to remain high in the near term. 'We expect the CPO price to trade between RM3,800 and RM4,300 per tonne,' she said. Ng added that the downside would be cushioned by slower palm oil output growth and stronger biodiesel demand in Indonesia, while the upside is capped by rising stock levels. She pointed out that two key developments to watch are whether Indonesia raises its biodiesel blend from B40 to B45 or B50, and whether the United States increases its biodiesel incentives. She also flagged potential risks from weather conditions. 'For example, the recent severe haze condition in Indonesia could affect palm oil supply if it prolongs,' she said. BIMB Securities analyst Saffa Amanina echoed the near-term cautious tone, citing elevated stockpiles that are likely to remain above two million tonnes through September. 'We expect CPO prices to remain under pressure in the near term due to elevated inventory levels, which are likely to stay above two million tonnes through September,' she said. She said this was due to seasonal peak production in both Malaysia and Indonesia, alongside the upcoming soybean harvest in the United States, which may weigh on sentiment across the broader vegetable oil market. 'We estimate that CPO prices could temporarily soften, with downside risk to briefly dip to RM3,700 per tonne,' she said. Still, she believes the decline will be limited by restocking demand from India ahead of Deepavali. Amanina projects that prices will recover towards the year-end, trading between RM4,100 and RM4,200 per tonne, supported by monsoon-related supply disruptions. She added that price pressures could also stem from the narrowing CPO-soybean oil price gap, in-house expectation of a stronger ringgit, and a wider palm oil-gas oil spread, which may reduce biodiesel blending incentives. Potential support, on the other hand, may come from changes in US biofuel targets and European restocking ahead of the European Union's deforestation regulation. While most experts are cautious in the short term, some are less concerned. Former Malaysian palm oil executive Joseph Tek downplayed fears of oversupply, saying the current stockpile levels are not unusually high. 'While end stocks are at 2.2 to 2.3 million tonnes, it is not really high. The market has just gotten used to seeing below two million tonnes. This level should be seen as neutral and I don't expect prices to react dramatically,' he said. He pointed out that the supply situation may appear elevated on paper, but regional consumption patterns are shifting. For instance, Indonesia has been using more of its palm oil locally, leaving less for export. 'The market is not exactly overflowing,' he said. While he expects the current situation to linger for a bit, he remains bullish that prices will hold steady. Looking ahead, Tek said several factors could influence the market in the second half of 2025, including production trends in both Malaysia and Indonesia, developments in the biodiesel segment, and policy decisions from the United States. 'The market is expecting a big peak in production, but I remain cautiously optimistic. My pragmatism tells me it may not be as high as anticipated,' he said. He added that while Indonesia's biodiesel blending hit a strong 95% realisation rate in the first half of the year, there have been some hiccups recently. 'If blending volumes dip, we could see prices take a hit,' he said, noting that the industry is also keeping a close watch on the rollout of the B50 biodiesel programme. Meanwhile, the upcoming announcement of the US Renewable Volume Obligations could also play a role in shaping global vegetable oil demand. 'While end stocks might look steady, these factors could still keep the market lively. I would like to think of it as a steady raft with a few interesting currents,' he said. On pricing, Tek expects CPO prices to remain firm in the near term, trading within a favourable range of RM4,100 to RM4,500 per tonne. 'I'm looking at plus or minus 5%, but if there are other intertwined factors interplaying, then we can raise it to plus or minus 10%,' he said.
