Regarding the information that the Malaysian government agreed to export 300,000 tons of RON95 to Vietnam, according to the Malaysian side, the petroleum cooperation between the two countries was mentioned by Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, at a reception for Azmin Ali, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), on March 21 at the Government Office on the occasion of the Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob’s official visit to Vietnam.

After that, the Malaysian Minister called the Petronas president and the oil and gas group agreed on the supply of 300,000 tons of RON95 to Vietnam.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, on the afternoon of the same day, at a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Sabri bin Yaakob and Vuong Dinh Hue, Chair of the Vietnam National Assembly, the Prime Minister officially informed Vietnamese high-ranking leaders about this and showed Malaysia’s readiness to promote cooperation with Vietnam to ensure energy security.

On March 22, before leaving Vietnam, the Malaysian Prime Minister held a press conference in Hanoi and provided information to the press. Malaysian newspapers and newswires, including Bernama and Malaysia Reverse, all reported this news.

However, there was some difference in reporting. Malaysian newspapers reported that 300 barrels would be sold, while the Malaysian Prime Minister said 300,000 tons.

Malaysia was willing to discuss in more detail for the two sides to implement the issue. However, the two sides could not do this for several reasons.

After the official visit ended, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a report to Prime Minister and high-ranking officials about the discussion. After that, on April 15, the Government Office released Dispatch No 1128 conveying the instruction of the Prime Minister on the implementation of the outcomes gained in the official visit, including matters related to Halal and the import of 300,000 tons of RON95.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy, during the meetings with Malaysian partners, they asked about cooperation not only on petrol imports, but also palm oil and rice. However, the embassy did not have information.

According to the embassy, petroleum prices in Malaysia are stable thanks to a subsidy policy.

RON95 is priced at VND11,000-13,000 per liter in Malaysia. The price levels are subsidized through the Automated Pricing Mechanism run by MITI. The price has been stable since February 27.

The embassy affirmed that this is the price for the domestic market with a subsidy, not the export price and not the price offered to Vietnam.

Luong Bang