26/05/2026

TUESDAY | MAY 26, 2026

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Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Three dead, one injured in oil rig lifeboat accident

PETALING JAYA: A total of 7,057 workers in the country lost their jobs in April, up from 5,855 in March, according to the latest labour market data presented at the National Economic Action Council meeting. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the figure, while higher month-on month, remains part of a fluctuating trend when viewed against earlier months, with January recording 10,658 job losses and February 7,512 cases. “We will continue to pay PETALING JAYA: Petronas has confirmed that three of its contractor’s workers were killed and another left fighting for his life after a lifeboat plunged into the sea during maintenance work on the Sepat offshore platform in the Terengganu Kelantan waters on Saturday. In a post on X, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine what caused the fatal accident. “The government views seriously the death of three contractor workers in an incident on the Sepat platform in the Terengganu-Kelantan waters yesterday.” Anwar said the government would continue strengthening workplace safety measures to protect workers nationwide. He also extended condolences to the victims’ families and prayed for the recovery of the sole survivor. “Condolences to the families of the victims and may they be granted strength and patience in facing this difficult test, and may those receiving treatment recover soon.” The incident occurred at about 12.50pm on Saturday when all four workers were aboard a lifeboat on the Sepat platform, believed to be descending to the lower section for maintenance work. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the lifeboat is believed to have fallen after the rope or hook securing it detached mid-operation. Three workers were killed on impact or drowned while another was critically injured. The victims were identified as Ahmad Fiqri Zakaria, 38, from Batu Berendam, Malacca, Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam, 28, from Kuantan, Pahang, and Nik Muhammad Hafifi Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Investigation underway to determine cause of tragedy at Petronas Sepat platform in Terengganu-Kelantan waters on Saturday The sole survivor, Mohd Taufik Mohd Ruslan, 37, from Banting, Selangor, is receiving treatment and is in critical condition at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Kuala Terengganu. “Petronas extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased. The immediate priority of the company is to support the well-being of those affected,” said the company. It was reported that the pregnant wife of one of the victims had said she was left devastated after being told her husband had been involved in the offshore tragedy. Nur Khaeryna Dhania Azreen Khairil Azri, 28, said she was contacted at about 4pm by her husband’s employer who confirmed that Muhammad Faezuan was Asri Ab Majid, 38, from Bandar Indera Mahkota, Pahang. attention to this development because we understand that every number reported, even if presented statistically, represents a family that has lost its source of income. “The government will ensure that the Employment Insurance System or Career Protection under Socso functions quickly to assist those who need help.” On the cost of living, he said domestic food prices remain broadly stable, with weekly monitoring showing controlled movements for essential items between -2% and 3.6% for the period between May 18 and 21. The average prices of some key items such as chicken at RM9.57 per

Nur Khaeryna Dhania being consoled by a family member at the hospital yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

company in March.

forensics department. She said she rushed from Bukit Setongkol in Kuantan, Pahang with her mother and arrived at the hospital about three hours later. She said her husband had worked in the oil and gas sector since 2019 and had recently joined a new

involved but could not immediately provide full details of his condition. “The company was unable to give any further information about my husband’s condition at that time but only said he was involved in the incident,” she told Bernama at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital

‘B15 roll-out will not affect nation’s palm oil exports’ PUTRAJAYA: The roll-out of B15 biodiesel in Peninsular Malaysia starting June 1 is set to strengthen the country’s energy security without affecting palm oil export volume while helping to support the local palm oil industry and accelerate the national green agenda. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the increase in the biodiesel blend from B10 to B15 (15% palm oil-based biodiesel) has been carefully planned after taking into account the industry’s readiness, supply situation and existing infrastructure. She said the government had conducted a detailed analysis regarding the implementation, including the country’s palm oil supply capacity, to ensure that exports of the commodity would not be affected. “We produce about 20 million metric tonnes of palm oil annually and export around 16 million metric tonnes. This means there is a surplus of about four million metric tonnes for domestic use. “The implementation of B15 only requires about 0.8 million metric tonnes out of that amount, so it will not disrupt the country’s export volume,” she said during a media briefing on the B15 biodiesel implementation yesterday. – Bernama welcome our second child into this world. Only Allah SWT knows how devastated I feel.” He was due home on June 1. “I’m very sad because he had planned to accompany me during my confinement period after we

Malaysia records 7,057 job losses in April

driven, with a focus on maintaining supply security while managing cost pressures. He said the council had agreed that the ministry should continue mitigation efforts, particularly for critical and high-risk items, while any price adjustments must be strictly based on risk levels and actual need. “The government’s priority is clear. Ensure sufficient basic supply, manage price pressures, guarantee continuity of operations, protect employment and provide targeted assistance to those who truly need it.” – BY HARITH KAMAL posting steady growth in the first quarter of 2026. He said the sector expanded by 2.6% year-on-year, contributing RM24.4 billion or 5.6% to national GDP, driven by stronger output in palm oil which grew 5.5% and livestock by 8.7%. He added that the performance also reflects improving efficiency in the sector, with labour productivity rising 3.6% while productivity relative to GDP increased 2.5%. Akmal said the government would continue its efforts to strengthen productivity and resilience in the sector as part of broader strategies to support food security and export competitiveness.

monitoring through a dedicated task force, strengthened buffer stocks for high-risk medicines and diversified procurement sources through partnerships with countries including China, Japan and Uzbekistan. He added that it has also introduced a special access pathway to fast-track approval of critical medicines while encouraging greater development of the local medical device industry to reduce long-term import dependence. Akmal said policy responses would remain targeted and data kg and beef at RM38.45 per kg showed a 2% decline while mustard greens at RM7.08 per kg showed a 3.6% increase. Akmal said these figures are national averages and actual prices could differ by location, with some areas offering lower rates. “Therefore, the government will continue to monitor and strengthen enforcement. For consumers this is an opportunity to use the Price Catcher app.” He added that informed customers must compare prices so that they have the power to choose. Akmal said Malaysia’s agriculture and plantation sector continues to act as a key buffer for the economy,

Government acts to ensure fair medicine pricing PETALING JAYA: The government is working to strengthen transparency in medicine pricing to ensure that Malaysians are not exposed to unjustified price pressures. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the move was highlighted during a due to global disruptions and reliance on imported inputs. “Of the total recorded medicine items, 72% are at low risk, 11.3% at moderate risk and 16.8% at high risk requiring continuous monitoring and mitigation action.

“For medical devices, 81.7% are at low risk, 13.5% at moderate risk while 4.8% are at high risk, mainly due to dependence on imported raw materials and key components,” he said during an online briefing on the global supply situation yesterday. Akmal said the Health Ministry has expanded continuous

presentation by the Health Ministry at the National Economic Action Council meeting which reviewed the country’s medicine and medical device supply situation. He said Malaysia’s supply chain remains broadly stable although certain segments face higher risks