Malaysiakini reported today that a US treasury official warned of environmental risks from illicit transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia. The United States is getting more serious and focusing on financing militant groups in Southeast Asia.
According to a US treasury official this week. The United States believes that Iran’s capacity to transport its oil is reliant on service providers based in Malaysia.
The US official also mentioned that the United States is working to prevent Malaysia from a place where Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, can raise and move funds.
Malaysiakini Reported
Brian Nelson, the US Treasury undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, mentioned that Iran raises a significant amount of money by selling illicit oil to buyers in East Asia.
Many of these shipments pass through the waters around Malaysia and are loaded onto questionable vessels. It’s not just about the financial risks, but also the major environmental and safety risks.
Nelson also expressed concern about the “ship-to-ship” transfers of illicit oil. He mentioned that these manoeuvres could lead to accidents or oil spills that could threaten Malaysia’s coasts.
Nelson and Neil MacBride, Treasury General Counsel, are currently in Singapore and Malaysia on a visit. Their main goal is to enhance their efforts in countering the financing and revenue generation activities of Iran and its proxies.
The Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, had a meeting with Nelson today. Saifuddin said he conveyed the country’s stance regarding sanctions to Nelson, during the meeting. Saifuddin said Malaysia would comply with United Nations sanctions but would not recognise unilaterally applied sanctions.
Saifuddin told reporters he also informed Nelson that Malaysia’s investigation and subsequent actions were taken against an organisation suspected of having links to Palestine. However, he didn’t disclose the name of the organisation.