Malaysia consumes about 700 thousand barrels of oil per day. 

The Finance Ministry says this is double the country’s daily rate of production.

It explains that this is why we need to continue importing crude oil in order to meet domestic demand despite the spike in global prices caused by the West Asia conflict.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says 85 percent of Malaysians are not affected by the high diesel prices because they still enjoy the government’s subsidized rates.

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In a related development, Iran has closed off the Strait of Hormuz, a day after reopening the waterway.

It says the Strait will remain shut off until a US blockade on Iranian ports is lifted.

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The Communications Minister has once again defended the upcoming ban on underaged kids using social media.

He says the ban is not about restricting freedom of expression, but is meant to protect children from dangers like online predators and cyberbullying.

He also cited a recent case in Sabah as an example, where a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after being targeted through TikTok.

The Minister adds that the MCMC is currently engaging stakeholders to refine the social media ban, which is expected to be enforced in June.

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At least 200 homes were destroyed in a pre-dawn fire in Sandakan, Sabah this morning.

The local Fire and  Rescue Department says the blaze affected non-permanent houses in a water village there.

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In other news…

The Education Ministry has opened an internal investigation into whether any SOP’s were breached in the drowning of a 16-year-old student in Pahang after leaving his hostel without notice to go foraging for clams.

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And the Met Department says eight areas across Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and Selangor are currently under a level one heat advisory.