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THE Government has clarified that seven of its vessels reported to be stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are not being detained, but are instead awaiting clearance to proceed amid heightened tensions in the region.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the vessels would be allowed to pass once conditions are deemed sufficiently safe, following diplomatic engagement with Iranian authorities.
“I have taken early negotiation steps with my counterpart, followed by a call by the Prime Minister to the President of Iran which further strengthened our request.
“Iran has stated that there is no issue in allowing our ships to pass through, and at present those being released are cargo vessels. For tankers, they need to wait first,” he told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house in Rantau on Saturday.
The seven vessels include three owned by Petronas, two by MISC, one by Sapura Energy and one by Syahpadu Corporation. Several of the ships are oil tankers, while others include specialised vessels such as a pipe-laying ship and an offshore support vessel.
Mohamad explained that delays were largely due to operational challenges and strained communications amid the ongoing conflict, rather than any form of detention.
“In the Strait of Hormuz, the situation is extremely tense, everyone wants to exit, and if communication is not handled properly it could lead to unwanted incidents.
“These ships are not being detained, but are waiting for the ‘go-ahead’ as instructions from Tehran sometimes do not get through. In a war situation, communication systems are very difficult,” he said.
He added that coordination between command centres in Tehran and field operators has at times been disrupted, contributing to the temporary hold-up.
Authorities expect the vessels to be cleared to continue their journeys at any time, depending on evolving security conditions as determined by Iranian authorities.
The clarification comes after earlier reports suggested that Malaysian vessels, including those carrying crude oil, had been unable to proceed through the strategically vital waterway, raising concerns over maritime safety and global energy flows. - March 28, 2026
