Though Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia
MalaysiaThis Week in AsiaEconomicsMalaysian king’s visit to Russia expected to smooth path for oil dealThough Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia3-MIN READ3-MINListen
Malaysian king’s visit to Russia expected to smooth path for oil deal
MalaysianKing Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar arrived in Moscow on Thursday for a high-profile visit that comes as Kuala Lumpur looks for alternative oil sources amid the Iran war-linked fuel crisis.
Sultan Ibrahimlanded at Vnukovo-2 International Airport at 4.20pm local time on Thursday, according to Malaysian reports, and was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, senior protocol officials and Malaysia’s ambassador to Russia, Cheong Loon Lai.
The king is attendingRussia’s May 9 Victory Day events as a guest of honour at the invitation of PresidentVladimir Putin, the latest in a series of royal engagements that have put Malaysia-Russia ties back in the spotlight.
Though the visit is officially ceremonial, the timing coincides with the energy squeeze now plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia. TheIran warhas disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow Gulf artery that remains critical to global oil and gas trade, forcing governments across the region to hunt for alternative supplies while trying to keep fuel prices from feeding into inflation.
Malaysia’s king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (centre) takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow on August 6, 2025. Photo: EPA
Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahimsaid last month that national oil company Petronas would negotiate with Russia to buy crude as Malaysia sought to secure domestic supplies.
Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x
Source: News - South China Morning Post
