Australian PM to visit Brunei, Malaysia to secure fuel supplies

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Brunei and Malaysia this week in a bid to shore up fuel supply security amid heightened regional uncertainty linked to the war involving Iran.

Albanese, speaking in Canberra on Monday (April 13), said the visit was aimed at ensuring Australia’s energy supplies remain stable during periods of geopolitical volatility, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He added he would not pre-empt the outcomes of talks.

The three Southeast Asian partners — Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore — are key suppliers of petrol, diesel and jet fuel to Australia. In turn, Singapore and Malaysia are significant buyers of Australian liquefied natural gas.

During the trip from April 7 to 10, Albanese is expected to meet Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Earlier, Albanese held discussions with Singaporean officials as Australia seeks to strengthen its fuel supply security amid global disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East and tighter conditions along key maritime shipping routes.

The Australian prime minister met Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 10 April, with energy security and fuel resilience at the centre of talks, as both countries face increased pressure from volatility in global oil markets.

By Aghakazim Guliyev