Anwar Seeks to Hose Down Spat Over Philippines Diesel Shipment

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sought to defuse a controversy over diesel shipments to the Philippines, underscoring how sensitive such trades have become as countries grapple with rising energy costs.

Allegations that Malaysian state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd. was supplying diesel to the Philippines were untrue, Anwar was cited as saying by local media outlet Bernama. The shipments were actually being handled by energy trading giant Vitol Group under existing commercial arrangements, he said.