Malaysian ships will not face toll charges in the Strait of Hormuz, as confirmed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke following assurances from Iran’s ambassador.
SHAH ALAM: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has confirmed that Malaysian vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing regional conflict will not be subjected to any toll charges.
He said the matter was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the National Economic Action Council meeting held in Putrajaya.
“Iran’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, has informed us that Malaysia is regarded as a friendly nation with strong diplomatic ties, and no toll is being imposed on Malaysian vessels,” he told reporters after attending a ceremony at a school here.
On the impact of the West Asia conflict on domestic aviation, Loke said there are currently no major disruptions apart from rising fuel costs, with the ministry holding regular engagements with industry players to ensure control.
He noted that some airlines may rationalise operations by merging flights to improve efficiency, describing such measures as temporary to manage higher jet fuel costs.
On the shipping sector, Loke said discussions are ongoing between the government and industry stakeholders to introduce a more structured and standardised surcharge mechanism.
He noted that the Malaysia Shipowners Association had presented its views to the council, including a call for better management and governance of surcharges.
Meanwhile, Loke said no projects under his ministry will be halted, although priorities may be adjusted in line with the Prime Minister’s directive to implement the most beneficial projects first.
“At this point, there are no budget cuts and no projects are being stopped, but we are closely monitoring the situation and prioritising projects that deliver the most value to the country,” he said.
Loke earlier encouraged simple measures such as better travel planning, carpooling and the use of public transport to help ensure stable energy supply.
He said the government is currently operating in a “crisis mode”, with council meetings to be held weekly to ensure fuel supply remains stable.
Loke added that a meeting with e-hailing operators will be held to explore initiatives such as carpooling to improve fuel efficiency.
He cautioned that the ongoing conflict could have prolonged economic effects, potentially lasting between six and 24 months depending on its duration.
