logo
Shell pledges over RM9bil investment

Shell pledges over RM9bil investment

KUALA LUMPUR: Shell will invest over RM9 billion in Malaysia within the next two to three years, generating more high-skilled jobs for locals.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Shell Global chief executive officer Wael Sawan conveyed the commitment during a courtesy call after Anwar's engagement at Sasana Kijang.
He said the multinational company expressed confidence in Malaysia's direction and reaffirmed its long-standing role as a key investment partner.
Anwar said he outlined the government's strategy to position Malaysia as a stable, sustainable and resilient long-term investment hub.
He said Shell's decision reflected strong confidence in Malaysia's leadership, policies and vision.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Beyond disputes: Turning Ambalat and Pedra Branca into platforms for maritime cooperation
Beyond disputes: Turning Ambalat and Pedra Branca into platforms for maritime cooperation

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Beyond disputes: Turning Ambalat and Pedra Branca into platforms for maritime cooperation

THE maritime disputes over Ambalat and Batu Puteh are complex. Ambalat, located in the resource-rich Sulawesi Sea, is claimed by Malaysia and Indonesia since the early 2000s. The area is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves, and both countries have issued oil exploration licences that have led to diplomatic protests and naval stand-offs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently emphasised the role of Sabah — which is the Malaysian state closest to the area — in ensuring that any joint development has equitable outcomes for border communities. Meanwhile, the dispute over Batu Puteh was partially resolved in 2008 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over it to Singapore. In the same judgment, the ICJ ruled that Middle Rocks belonged to Malaysia, while sovereignty over South Ledge would rest with the state in whose territorial waters it is located. As the ICJ did not delimit maritime boundaries, South Ledge's status is unresolved. In recent years, bilateral efforts have intensified to resolve outstanding maritime issues. At the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in January, both governments agreed to begin technical work to delimit maritime boundaries in the Johor Strait, using the 1927 Territorial Waters Agreement as a legal basis. Singapore's continued engagement through the Joint Technical Committee reflects its commitment to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and legal frameworks. These disputes reflect deeper questions of sovereignty, historical memory and control over vital sea lanes. But they also present an opportunity to transform contested maritime zones into shared spaces of cooperation. Malaysia and Indonesia should consider establishing a joint development authority (JDA) to manage resources and reduce tensions over Ambalat. Similarly, Malaysia and Singapore could explore cooperative arrangements around Middle Rocks and South Ledge, focusing on maritime safety, environmental stewardship and scientific research. Such frameworks — already proven in the Malaysia-Thailand JDA in the Gulf of Thailand — would allow all parties to benefit economically while preserving their legal positions. Importantly, joint development does not require any party to relinquish its claims. Under Article 83 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , states are encouraged to reach provisional arrangements pending final delimitation. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have played pivotal roles in Asean's evolution and have consistently advocated for peaceful dispute resolution and regional stability. Their cooperation on Ambalat and Batu Puteh could serve as a model for other maritime disputes in Southeast Asia, including in the South China Sea. A coordinated initiative involving Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore — each addressing their respective maritime disputes — could serve as a model for broader governance reforms within Asean, strengthening its commitment to pragmatic diplomacy and peaceful resolution. Public discourse in all three countries must focus on collaboration. Parliamentarians, diplomats and civil society leaders should advocate for open dialogue, confidence-building measures and creative legal solutions. The media should frame these disputes as opportunities for partnership. Ambalat and Batu Puteh should be reimagined as foundations for a shared maritime future — where sovereignty concerns are balanced with economic pragmatism and regional solidarity. The establishment of JDAs would not only unlock resource potential but also signal that Southeast Asia is capable of resolving disputes through diplomacy and innovation. During the recent Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to resolving the Ambalat dispute through peaceful means. Both leaders agreed to explore joint development initiatives as they recognise that legal processes may take years. This bilateral momentum reflects a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. On the Batu Puteh front, Singapore has likewise shown its willingness to cooperate. These parallel bilateral engagements — Malaysia with Indonesia over Ambalat, and Malaysia with Singapore over Batu Puteh — signal a commitment to regional stability, peaceful dispute resolution and collaborative maritime governance.

PM Anwar visits comedian Amir Raja Lawak, offers support for ailing father
PM Anwar visits comedian Amir Raja Lawak, offers support for ailing father

Malay Mail

time6 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

PM Anwar visits comedian Amir Raja Lawak, offers support for ailing father

KOTA BHARU, Aug 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today spent about 30 minutes visiting popular comedian Mohammad Amirullah Azmi, better known as Amir Raja Lawak, at the latter's shop near the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, here. Anwar was accompanied by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. During the meeting with Amir, 39, Anwar expressed concern for the comedian's father, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), in Kubang Kerian. As a gesture of support, Anwar and Mohd Nassuruddin presented a cash donation to Amir. The visit followed Amir's Facebook post yesterday, in which he expressed his wish to meet the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Amir expressed his gratitude and said he was deeply moved to meet Anwar. 'I only posted on Facebook because I knew the Prime Minister would be attending the closing ceremony of the PMR (MADANI Rakyat Programme) near my shop. 'I asked who was arranging for his (Anwar's) presence, and I didn't think the Prime Minister himself knew about my problem. Amir said that he was informed by the Prime Minister's political secretary Datuk Farhan Fauzi yesterday, that Anwar would be stopping by his shop. 'I am very grateful and surprised. I thought that only the Prime Minister would be present, but many other senior leaders were there as well,' he said. — Bernama

PM Anwar open to new urgent projects in Kelantan despite RMK13 allocations
PM Anwar open to new urgent projects in Kelantan despite RMK13 allocations

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

PM Anwar open to new urgent projects in Kelantan despite RMK13 allocations

KOTA BHARU: The government remains open to reviewing new and urgent project proposals from Kelantan, even though major projects have already been allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that project prioritisation was determined through direct engagement with the state government. 'We have presented RMK13, but new applications have been submitted, and if they are urgent, we will study them, especially flood mitigation, water supply, energy, and hardcore poverty eradication,' he said. He added that the national budget process would consider RMK13 while reviewing additional priorities. Anwar spoke at the closing ceremony of the Kelantan 2025 MADANI Rakyat Program at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium. Present were Science Minister Chang Lih Kang, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. Anwar noted that engagement sessions have been streamlined to include state government input. 'Every state visit includes a session for feedback and monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure effective implementation,' he explained. On the MADANI Rakyat Program, Anwar said it strengthened government-community ties. 'Through this program, we aim to understand public concerns and elevate initiatives needing attention,' he said. The three-day event, led by MOSTI, featured over 100 public services and tech exhibitions. It was supported by ICU JPM and multiple government agencies. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store