KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A viral video showing a confrontation between a bus driver and several motorists at the Simpang Pulai rest-and-service area (R&R) has triggered widespread backlash online, with many Malaysians condemning the alleged treatment of the driver.

The 42-second clip, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows several vehicles parked in what appeared to be a designated bus parking area, allegedly obstructing access for buses.

According to text overlaid on the video, the confrontation began after the bus driver asked the motorists to move their vehicles from the bay.

The caption accompanying the clip further alleged that one of the individuals involved became aggressive and spat at the driver during the dispute, prompting outrage among social media users.

Many commenters expressed sympathy for the driver, arguing that bus parking bays should be respected to avoid disrupting public transport operations.

Others urged authorities to take stricter action against motorists who misuse parking spaces reserved for buses and heavy vehicles, especially at busy highway stopovers.

The incident has also reignited broader complaints online over poor parking etiquette and a perceived lack of enforcement at rest-and-service areas nationwide.

At the time of writing, Ipoh police had yet to issue a statement on the incident.

SUBANG, May 4 — Three prominent Malaysian media figures paid a heartfelt visit to fellow National Journalism Laureate, Adibah Amin, who is currently unwell.

Tan Sri Johan Jaafar, Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin, and Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai called on the 90-year-old veteran journalist at her home to convey their well-wishes and support.

Adibah, a revered figure in Malaysian journalism and literature, is widely admired for her contributions to the industry, as well as her role in shaping generations of writers and readers through her columns and books.

During the visit, the trio reminisced about their years in the media, sharing reflections on the profession’s evolution and the values that have guided them throughout their careers.

They also expressed their deep appreciation for Adibah, whose enduring legacy includes her work with New Straits Times and The Star, describing her as a trailblazer who left an indelible mark on Malaysian journalism.

Wong, who is the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman, said Adibah was an exemplary journalist who wrote passionately on moderation and multiculturalism.

“She wrote on the commonalities and camaraderie of Malaysians. She will always endear Malaysians,” he said, adding that he hoped a new generation would produce another translator of her calibre.

Despite her condition, Adibah remained warm and gracious, embodying the spirit and passion that have defined her decades-long career.

The visit served as a poignant reminder of the close bonds within the media fraternity, as well as the deep respect and admiration its members hold for one another.

All four are recipients of the National Journalism Laureate award, which recognises outstanding contributions to journalism and the nation.

Another laureate, CC Liew, formerly of Sin Chew Daily, was unable to attend.

Only 14 individuals have received the honour since it was introduced by the Malaysian Press Institute in 1988. Past recipients include Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail, Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee, Tan Sri Melan Abdullah, Tan Sri Mazlan Nordin, Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin and Datuk Ishak Muhammad. 

Besides Adibah, Johan, 72, Kadir, 78, Liew, 87, and Wong, 65, are the only living recipients.

Meanwhile, Johan described the visit as deeply meaningful, calling Adibah a distinguished literary icon.

He praised her exceptional command of both Malay and English, noting that her translation skills should serve as an exemplary model for younger generations.

“She wrote in Malay with precise grammar and near-perfect structure, and equally well in English. She was a teacher, a master of both languages.

“Her ability to fully harness her talents, not only as a bilingual writer but also as a novelist, was something to be emulated,” Johan said.

Abdul Kadir, on the other hand, described Adibah as a remarkable figure with diverse talents spanning journalism, literature and acting.

“She was once my editor at Berita Harian, and later our roles were reversed when I became her editor,” he said.

Abdul Kadir also encouraged the public to read Adibah’s newly released book, As I Was Passing (Legacy Edition), a curated collection of her well-known columns.

“For me, her writing is truly iconic. She not only captures the past but also serves as an example for younger generations,” he added. — Bernama 

Toyota-branded vehicles accounted for 6,378 units, including 2,375 domestically assembled cars and 4,003 completely built-up imports. The results showed a positive recovery in Vietnam’s auto market, while reaffirming the sustained appeal of Toyota models among local customers.

KOTA KINABALU, May 4 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor is confident the state’s tourism sector will remain resilient despite challenges posed by the current Middle East conflict.

He said that while the government has been refining its strategies, continued investor interest in the state showed Sabah would be able to weather the challenges.

“This crisis will fundamentally reshape how we operate. Every sector will be affected, which means we must adapt and innovate in our business practices.

“Yet, the future remains bright. Despite these obstacles, I am heartened to see strong investor confidence in Sabah’s tourism sector,” he said during his speech at the grand opening of the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu hotel here.

Hajiji said the state tourism ministry had stepped up efforts to ensure Sabah remains an attractive global destination in response to emerging industry challenges.

He outlined strategies such as fostering partnerships with global airlines to enhance connectivity, developing premium tourism products, improving service standards to international benchmarks, and hosting high-value events.

“Through these efforts, we will position Sabah as both a premier holiday destination and a dynamic business hub,” he said.

Hajiji said several other hotel brands were also in the pipeline, including Avani and Fairfield by Marriott, Grandis at The Peninsula in Kota Kinabalu, Club Med in Kuala Penyu, InterContinental in Papar, and Wyndham in Semporna.

The developments are expected to add 2,740 rooms to the state’s existing hotel inventory.

He said the projects would not only create hundreds of jobs through the hotels themselves, but also generate opportunities across supply chains, services, and related businesses.

“Local suppliers, restaurants, and attractions will benefit tremendously.

“Beyond the economic benefits, these new hotel developments will elevate Sabah’s profile as a premier destination. They will attract conferences, corporate events, and travellers who will experience the very best we have to offer, thereby strengthening our economy through sustained tourism revenue,” he said.

Hajiji said the developments were timely ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and would also serve as a catalyst for Sabah’s preparations for Visit Sabah Year 2027.

He also expressed confidence that the RM300 million Sheraton Kota Kinabalu would help showcase Sabah’s culture, heritage, and warm hospitality.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — A manufacturing company was fined RM120,000 by the Sessions Court in Butterworth today for failing to implement engineering controls to reduce workplace noise exposure.

National daily Utusan Malaysia reported that Judge Roslan Hamid imposed the fine after the company pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 18B(2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.

According to the case facts, the company failed to carry out noise control measures recommended by a Noise Risk Assessor, including the installation of physical noise barriers in areas involving machine operations.

The failure led to two workers suffering Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which occupational health officers confirmed was caused by prolonged exposure to industrial noise.

An offence under Section 18B carries a penalty of up to RM500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

The prosecution was conducted by Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) prosecuting officer Abdul Rahim Sabri, while the investigation was led by investigating officers Ir. Abdul Hafiz Ahmad and Norfaiza Fadil.

Meanwhile, Penang DOSH said it would not compromise against employers who fail to comply with workplace safety and health laws.

“Enforcement action will continue to be intensified to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all workers,” it said in a statement.

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has saved at least RM250 million through expenditure adjustments, including programme restructuring.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the savings would be channelled to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to help fund fuel subsidies for the public.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister in charge of KKDW, said the savings were achieved by scaling back promotional events, product exhibitions and other low-impact programmes.

“A circular has been issued by the MOF requiring all ministries to implement cost-saving measures, and KKDW is no exception.

“In fact, even before the directive, we had proposed reducing programmes with relatively limited impact, prioritising infrastructure, water supply, electricity and rural amenities instead,” he told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

In his speech, Ahmad Zahid also urged KKDW staff to adopt the National Rural Economy as a new mindset focused on raising incomes, expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life in rural communities.

“We must be bold in seizing new potential within the rural ecosystem. This is the foundation of the National Rural Economy, a comprehensive approach to transform rural areas from supporting zones into a new engine of national growth.

“Rural areas possess land, plantations, commodities, biomass, micro-entrepreneurs, youth, women, Orang Asli communities, cooperatives and strong social networks.

“If these are organised into a cohesive ecosystem, rural areas can become a new source of national growth,” he said. — Bernama 

In Ho Chi Minh City, tourism revenue reached an estimated 8.7 trillion VND during the nine days, with about 190,000 international arrivals and 1.5 million domestic travellers.

NILAI, May 4 — Malaysian Haj pilgrims have been advised to follow the advice of doctors, health officers and Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) personnel throughout their stay in the Holy Land to ensure their pilgrimage is carried out smoothly and safely.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said temperatures in Saudi Arabia are currently around 34° to 35°Celsius and are expected to rise, thus pilgrims need to pay close attention to their health while performing the Haj.

“Conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Holy Land are currently good. Pilgrims are advised to follow the advice of doctors, health officers and personnel there, and to remain focused on performing their religious duties to the best of their ability,” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, he officiated the Islamic Media Arts Academy (ASMI) module book and course at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), which was also attended by USIM Pro-Chancellor Tunku Zain Al ‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli described the recent passing of a Malaysian Haj pilgrim in the Holy Land as God’s will, adding that the 65-year-old had passed the required health screenings.

Malaysian Haj Delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun was reported as saying that the deceased, who was in the Holy Land with his wife, was confirmed to have passed away at 12.15pm local time (5.15pm Malaysian time) due to heart complications.

He said funeral arrangements were fully managed by TH, including transporting the remains to Masjidil Haram for funeral prayers after Maghrib before burial at Al Sharayea Cemetery in Makkah.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said ASMI, organised by USIM and TV AlHijrah today is a strategic initiative to introduce module books and training courses designed to develop the talent, skills and competencies of Islamic media practitioners.

He said the role of Islamic media is becoming increasingly critical and can no longer be seen merely as an alternative, but must emerge as a primary reference that upholds narratives of truth, justice and well-being.

“We are facing a phenomenon known as information overload across social media, which often blurs the line between truth and falsehood. Media is not merely a tool for disseminating news, but an instrument that can shape and influence the way people think, their lifestyles and the value systems of a society,” he said.

The programme, attended by 100 participants comprising representatives from universities, the media industry and other agencies, focuses on dakwah communication, Islamic media content production, media management, strategies for delivering dakwah to various segments of society, as well as media crisis management. — Bernama 

Over the last two months, refineries and fuel storage facilities around the world have caught fire due to war (Russia) or accident (Australia, the United States, India and Mexico), adding more pressure to stressed oil and gas supply chains.

Global production of refined oil is normally around 100 million barrels a day. But this is under real strain. When Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February, it prevented 25% of global seaborne oil exports leaving the region. Iran also responded to strikes by the United States and Israel by launching attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in neighbouring states.

Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian oil refineries have driven Russian output 12% lower than last year’s figures.

But while the spate of accidental refinery fires around the world only affect a small percentage of global output, they amplify the impact of the bigger supply shocks flowing from the Iran war.

This year’s unprecedented energy crunch has exposed deep structural weaknesses in how the global oil system operates – and how easily it can be disrupted. Refineries have become targets in war, while poor maintenance or accidents point to systemic stresses.

How refineries became a target

This year, oil refineries have become targets in two wars. Refineries and energy infrastructure have been targeted in previous conflicts. But advances in drone technology and intelligence have made attacks cheaper and more effective. It’s now possible to hit specific distillation columns or fuel storage tanks within a refinery.

The Russia-Ukraine war is now well into its fourth year. Ukraine has relied heavily on drones for defence and, increasingly, attack. Successive drone strikes on Russia’s Black Sea Tuapse refinery have done significant damage. Earlier strikes hit refineries in Perm and Orsk.

One of Iran’s main targets has been the oil and gas infrastructure of neighbouring Gulf States. Missiles, shrapnel and drones have hit refineries, fuel storage facilities and oil tankers. Fuel exports from the world’s biggest oil and gas region have slowed to a trickle.

Ukraine and Iran’s attacks on oil infrastructure show oil assets are no longer just civilian infrastructure. They can be instruments of economic warfare. Attacks are designed not just to cause local damage, but to create wider market disruptions and trigger sustained economic pressure. For Ukraine, the goal is to weaken Russia, economically and strategically. For Iran, the goal is to exert influence over the region and drive up oil prices to pressure the US to negotiate.

Australia’s refinery fire points to fragility

Fire is a key vulnerability for refineries and fuel storage facilities.

In mid-April, a fire broke out at one of Australia’s two remaining refineries. The fire forced petrol production at Viva’s Geelong refinery to be cut to 60% of normal production and diesel and jet fuel production to be cut to 80% until repairs are complete.

The cut to domestic refining capacity was “a setback”, according to federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Australia faces a real challenge on fuel, given limited local capacity and a heavy reliance on imported liquid fuels from overseas refineries in Asia. Unfortunately, the fire in Geelong added to the strain on fuel due to already reduced supply.

Refineries under strain globally

Over the last two months, fires have damaged a number of oil refineries.

India: A fire broke out at India’s large new Pachpadra refinery a day before it was to open. Initial reports suggest a leaking valve was to blame.

Mexico: Two fires have broken out at the troubled Dos Bocas refinery in Tabasco in recent weeks. The flagship state-owned refinery was meant to help Mexico cut dependence on fuel imports and boost energy sovereignty, but production targets have not been hit. The fires have worsened the situation.

United States: In March, a large explosion damaged the Valero Port Arthur Refinery in Texas, spreading toxic smoke throughout nearby communities.

Risk multipliers

This year’s spate of oil refinery fires have taken place as the world grapples with the much larger disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict.

These smaller incidents act as risk multipliers, amplifying the impact of the Iran war. The global energy system is already under pressure from geopolitical fragmentation, strained supply chains and contested shipping routes.

What they show is how vulnerable our energy systems are to disruption – even outside a war zone.

Aging infrastructure, reduced maintenance and increasingly complex systems mean even small fires or unit failures can escalate into significant supply disruptions.

During the first big oil shocks of the 1970s, the oil market was much less interconnected. Today’s oil system now has fewer backups and higher complexity, leaving it even more exposed to disruption, whether by accident or on purpose. Localised shocks can ripple further.

The 2026 energy crisis isn’t only a story about conflict in the Middle East. It’s also about a global energy system running on fumes. We should see news of a refinery fire not as an isolated industrial event – but as a sign of system under strain.

Meredith Primrose Jones does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that Malaysia adopts a balanced approach in economic diplomacy, prioritising national interests, including energy security.

He said trade negotiations with strategic partners such as Australia are conducted on a reciprocal basis, taking into account Malaysia’s need to import raw materials such as phosphate for fertiliser production, while exporting urea.

“We import phosphate, we export urea… that is why in my discussions with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, who was here two weeks ago, he asked for urea and I said that is possible provided he supplies phosphate.

“He (Albanese) asked for oil, and I said if we have a surplus we can supply it, but if we do not, we cannot — despite claims out there asking how Anwar sold oil to the Philippines; when did we sell oil to the Philippines?” he said when addressing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s monthly assembly here today.

As such, he called on all parties to provide accurate facts, as this is a matter of national security and should not be treated as a political issue.

Anwar said Malaysia will continue to strengthen economic cooperation with key trading partners, including China and the United States, despite differences in views on geopolitical issues.

“The United States remains Malaysia’s number one trading partner and investor. Do we agree with its foreign policy? No. Do we agree with its actions in attacking Iran? No. Do we agree with it allowing the killing of children and women in Gaza? No.

“So we continue to uphold the independence I refer to as Asean centrality. We speak up because we are an independent and sovereign nation,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that Malaysia will not compromise on key national policies, including those related to Bumiputera interests, in any trade negotiations.

“We can trade, but we will not allow others to dictate our policies. If we dismantle or overhaul these policies, it could create domestic political tensions that we cannot control. So there are limits,” he said.

He also stressed the need to maintain a pragmatic approach in international relations to ensure foreign investment flows are not disrupted.

“If we confront everything, new investments will be affected,” he said.

In a related development, he said Malaysia still has strengths in high-value sectors such as electrical and electronics (E&E) and artificial intelligence (AI), which continue to attract global investors.

He added that multinational companies such as Intel and Amazon Web Services continue to expand their investments in the country.

“This means that while we face challenges in some areas, we are still benefiting from others,” he said. — Bernama