Reports say Indonesia is set to ban the export of palm oil amid domestic shortage which may add to soaring food inflation worldwide.

Indonesia accounts for over half of the global palm oil supply. President Joko Widodo said his government would evaluate the implementation of the ban on edible oil in order to ensure cooking oil is available in the domestic market.&nbsp;

Cooking oil prices have shot up over 40 per cent this year in the country amid protests over the recent spike in prices.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-india-not-violating-any-sanctions-by-importing-russian-oil-470364">Also Read:&nbsp;US says India not violating any sanctions by importing Russian oil</a>

President Widodo said the country will suspend the export of cooking oil and raw material from April 28.

"I will monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy so availability of cooking oil in the domestic market becomes abundant and affordable," President Widodo told the nation.

Watch:&nbsp;Is the West trying to hide Russian oil imports?

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India is among the largest buyer of palm oil including China. Palm oil is widely used in various types of food products including in cosmetics, biscuits, detergents and chocolate.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has already led to a supply shortage of sunflower oil even as the regular supply of soy and rapeseed oil has been hit due to drought in Canada, Argentina and Brazil.

Malaysia which is the second-largest producer of palm oil has been hit by a labour shortage due to the pandemic and is unlikely&nbsp;to fill the gap soon, reports claim&nbsp;

India reportedly imports nearly 4 million tonnes of palm oil from Indonesia. The country is already facing a fall in sunflower oil supply&nbsp;due to&nbsp;the Russia-Ukraine war. Reports say the price of crude palm oil in Mumbai has climbed over 50 per cent as compared to last year.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports say Indonesia is set to ban the export of palm oil amid domestic shortage which may add to soaring food inflation worldwide. Indonesia accounts for over half of the global palm oil supply.

Reports say Indonesia is set to ban the export of palm oil amid domestic shortage which may add to soaring food inflation worldwide. Indonesia accounts for over half of the global palm oil supply. President Joko Widodo said his government would evaluate the implementation of the ban on edible oil in order to ensure cooking oil is available in the domestic market. Cooking oil prices have shot up over 40 per cent this year in the country amid protests over the recent spike in prices. Also Read: US says India not violating any sanctions by importing Russian oil President Widodo said the country will suspend the export of cooking oil and raw material from April 28. "I will monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy so availability of cooking oil in the domestic market becomes abundant and affordable," President Widodo told the nation. Watch: Is the West trying to hide Russian oil imports? India is among the largest buyer of palm oil including China. Palm oil is widely used in various types of food products including in cosmetics, biscuits, detergents and chocolate. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has already led to a supply shortage of sunflower oil even as the regular supply of soy and rapeseed oil has been hit due to drought in Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Malaysia which is the second-largest producer of palm oil has been hit by a labour shortage due to the pandemic and is unlikely to fill the gap soon, reports claim India reportedly imports nearly 4 million tonnes of palm oil from Indonesia. The country is already facing a fall in sunflower oil supply due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Reports say the price of crude palm oil in Mumbai has climbed over 50 per cent as compared to last year. (With inputs from Agencies)

Edible oil prices may rise further in India due to Indonesia's palm oil export ban

A&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;court&nbsp;rejected on Tuesday an&nbsp;appeal&nbsp;against the&nbsp;execution&nbsp;of a Malaysian convicted of drugs smuggling, dismissing an argument put forward by his legal team that he should be spared because he was mentally impaired.

Nagaenthran Dharmalingam has been on death row for more than a decade for trafficking about 42.7 grammes (1.5 oz) of heroin into&nbsp;Singapore, which has some of the world's toughest narcotics laws.

His plight has attracted international attention with a group of United Nations experts and British billionaire Richard Branson joining Malaysia's prime minister and human rights activists to urge&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;to commute his death sentence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-suspends-doctor-for-injecting-patients-with-saline-solutions-in-place-of-covid-vaccine-466527">Singapore suspends doctor for injecting patients with saline solutions in place of Covid vaccine</a>

Dharmalingam's lawyer Violet Netto had objected to presenting her client's prison medical records at the last hearing, citing confidentiality, and instead requested an independent psychiatric review.

But at Tuesday's hearing Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the bid to prevent the disclosure of medical reports was unreasonable and there was no admissible evidence showing any decline in his mental condition.

The&nbsp;court&nbsp;also dismissed the request for an independent psychiatric review.

"The appellant has been afforded due process under law, and it is not open to him to challenge the outcome of that process when he has put nothing forward to suggest that he does have a&nbsp;case&nbsp;to be considered," the five-judge panel said in its ruling.

Dharmalingam, who was wearing a purple prison uniform, did not appear to show any reaction to the ruling.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-to-further-relax-covid-19-restrictions-as-cases-decline-says-pm-465178">Singapore to further relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline, says PM</a>

M Ravi, Dharmalingam's former lawyer who has continued to assist in the&nbsp;case, told reporters that the Malaysian had exhausted legal options to escape the death penalty.

Anti-death penalty group Reprieve said it believed Nagaenthran  is intellectually disabled and should be protected from the death penalty.

In a statement, Reprieve director Maya Foa called on&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;President Halimah Yacob "to listen to the cries for mercy within&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;and around the world."

It was not immediately clear when the&nbsp;execution&nbsp;would be carried out.

From 2016 to 2019,&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;hanged 25 people - the majority for drug-related offences, according to official data.

Watch |&nbsp;India slams Singapore PM Loong after he targets Indian lawmakers

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A Singapore court rejected on Tuesday an appeal against the execution of a Malaysian convicted of drugs smuggling, dismissing an argument put forward by his legal team that he should be spared because he was mentally impaired.

A Singapore court rejected on Tuesday an appeal against the execution of a Malaysian convicted of drugs smuggling, dismissing an argument put forward by his legal team that he should be spared because he was mentally impaired. Nagaenthran Dharmalingam has been on death row for more than a decade for trafficking about 42.7 grammes (1.5 oz) of heroin into Singapore, which has some of the world's toughest narcotics laws. His plight has attracted international attention with a group of United Nations experts and British billionaire Richard Branson joining Malaysia's prime minister and human rights activists to urge Singapore to commute his death sentence. Also read | Singapore suspends doctor for injecting patients with saline solutions in place of Covid vaccine Dharmalingam's lawyer Violet Netto had objected to presenting her client's prison medical records at the last hearing, citing confidentiality, and instead requested an independent psychiatric review. But at Tuesday's hearing Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the bid to prevent the disclosure of medical reports was unreasonable and there was no admissible evidence showing any decline in his mental condition. The court also dismissed the request for an independent psychiatric review. "The appellant has been afforded due process under law, and it is not open to him to challenge the outcome of that process when he has put nothing forward to suggest that he does have a case to be considered," the five-judge panel said in its ruling. Dharmalingam, who was wearing a purple prison uniform, did not appear to show any reaction to the ruling. Also read | Singapore to further relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline, says PM M Ravi, Dharmalingam's former lawyer who has continued to assist in the case, told reporters that the Malaysian had exhausted legal options to escape the death penalty. Anti-death penalty group Reprieve said it believed Nagaenthran  is intellectually disabled and should be protected from the death penalty. In a statement, Reprieve director Maya Foa called on Singapore President Halimah Yacob "to listen to the cries for mercy within Singapore and around the world." It was not immediately clear when the execution would be carried out. From 2016 to 2019, Singapore hanged 25 people - the majority for drug-related offences, according to official data. Watch | India slams Singapore PM Loong after he targets Indian lawmakers

Singapore court rejects Malaysian's appeal in high-profile execution case

Eighteen&nbsp;people&nbsp;missing&nbsp;at sea near the&nbsp;Malaysian&nbsp;holiday&nbsp;island&nbsp;of Langkawi were&nbsp;rescued, officials said Sunday, after their boat capsized due to bad weather.

The coast guard said the 18 were picked up by fishermen late Saturday after their boat vanishing earlier that afternoon had triggered a search.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-was-lost-in-murder-suicide-plot-expert-claims-455578">Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was lost in 'murder-suicide' plot, expert claims</a>

Senior coast guard official Mohamad Zawawi Abdullah said a combined effort by authorities and local fishermen saw the victims safely&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;after their boat capsized due to strong waves.&nbsp;

"A fishing vessel came and&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;them. They found them in the area (where they were lost)," he told AFP.

He said two of the&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;suffered injuries but were otherwise safe, with all handed over to authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-malaysia-mulls-full-border-reopening-in-march-451549">Covid-19: Malaysia mulls full border reopening in March</a>

Small boats can sometimes find themselves in danger on&nbsp;Malaysia's western coast because of strong waves and bad weather.

Malaysia's meteorological department warned over the weekend of heavy and continuous rain in the country's northern states.

Eighteen people missing at sea near the Malaysian holiday island of Langkawi were rescued, officials said Sunday, after their boat capsized due to bad weather. The coast guard said the 18 were picked up by fishermen late Saturday after their boat vanishing earlier that afternoon had triggered a search.

Eighteen people missing at sea near the Malaysian holiday island of Langkawi were rescued, officials said Sunday, after their boat capsized due to bad weather. The coast guard said the 18 were picked up by fishermen late Saturday after their boat vanishing earlier that afternoon had triggered a search. Also read | Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was lost in 'murder-suicide' plot, expert claims Senior coast guard official Mohamad Zawawi Abdullah said a combined effort by authorities and local fishermen saw the victims safely rescued after their boat capsized due to strong waves. "A fishing vessel came and rescued them. They found them in the area (where they were lost)," he told AFP. He said two of the rescued suffered injuries but were otherwise safe, with all handed over to authorities. Also read | Covid-19: Malaysia mulls full border reopening in March Small boats can sometimes find themselves in danger on Malaysia's western coast because of strong waves and bad weather. Malaysia's meteorological department warned over the weekend of heavy and continuous rain in the country's northern states.

Eighteen missing off Malaysian island rescued

Malaysian Hindus are celebrating the auspicious festival of Diwali; Devotees visited temple around Kuala Lumpur, the shops have reopened after pandemic lull.

'We have been waiting for this,' Malaysian Hindus celebrate Diwali, shops opened after pandemic lull

&nbsp;

More than 200 passengers were injured in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Monday when two metro trains collided in a tunnel, police said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The accident happened just before 9:00 pm (1300 GMT), when a packed train collided with a second that was empty and heading in the opposite direction.

Pictures circulating on social media showed injured passengers sprawled on the floor of a carriage, which was covered in glass.&nbsp; 
 
They also showed people on stretchers being treated by emergency services after the accident, which happened in downtown Kuala Lumpur close to the landmark Petronas Twin Towers. 
 
Forty-seven people suffered serious injuries and 166 had minor injuries in the accident, said police official Mohamad Zainal Abdullah. 
 
The empty train had just been repaired and was travelling on the same track as the full train. &nbsp; 
 
"The front of the trains collided, and the impact threw passengers on to the floor, this caused the injuries," he said. 
 
The trains were not travelling fast at the time at the accident -- one was going at 20 kilometres per hour and the other at 40 kilometres per hour, officials said. &nbsp; 
 
They also said there was no sign of foul play and the accident appeared to have been caused by miscommunication. 
 
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin&nbsp;said on Facebook that the crash was "serious". 
 
"I have instructed the transport minister and (train) operator... to conduct an in-depth probe to find out the cause of the accident," he said. 
 
Accidents are rare on the metro system that serves Kuala Lumpur.

More than 200 passengers were injured in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Monday when two metro trains collided in a tunnel, police said. The accident happened just before 9:00 pm (1300 GMT), when a packed train collided with a second that was empty and heading in the opposite direction.

More than 200 passengers were injured in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Monday when two metro trains collided in a tunnel, police said. The accident happened just before 9:00 pm (1300 GMT), when a packed train collided with a second that was empty and heading in the opposite direction. Pictures circulating on social media showed injured passengers sprawled on the floor of a carriage, which was covered in glass. They also showed people on stretchers being treated by emergency services after the accident, which happened in downtown Kuala Lumpur close to the landmark Petronas Twin Towers. Forty-seven people suffered serious injuries and 166 had minor injuries in the accident, said police official Mohamad Zainal Abdullah. The empty train had just been repaired and was travelling on the same track as the full train. "The front of the trains collided, and the impact threw passengers on to the floor, this caused the injuries," he said. The trains were not travelling fast at the time at the accident -- one was going at 20 kilometres per hour and the other at 40 kilometres per hour, officials said. They also said there was no sign of foul play and the accident appeared to have been caused by miscommunication. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Facebook that the crash was "serious". "I have instructed the transport minister and (train) operator... to conduct an in-depth probe to find out the cause of the accident," he said. Accidents are rare on the metro system that serves Kuala Lumpur.

More than 200 injured in Malaysia metro train crash

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people". In an apparent reference to the colonial times, Mohamad justified this 'right' by mentioning ''massacres of the past".

On Thursday, Mahathir Mohamad posted a series of 13 tweets from his personal Twitter handle and aired his opinions on issues ranging from women's clothing in western countries, West's adherence to their 'own religion', gender equality among other things and lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron for not being "civilised" and for being "primitive" for targetting Muslims and Islam.

He started the first tweet with words 'RESPECT OTHERS' but said that he did not approve killing of the French teacher by the Chechen youth.

Mohamad's tweets have come on the day when an attacker killed at least three&nbsp;people including a woman who he beheaded in the French city of Nice. The incident is being treated as a "terrorist" attack. The day also saw a Saudi man getting arrested in Jeddah after he attacked a guard of the French embassy in the city in Saudi Arabia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-knife-attack-live-update-government-raises-alert-to-attack-emergency-level-338782">Click here for latest updates on knife attack in France</a>

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12. Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/chedetofficial/status/1321765587530338304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In his tweets, the former Malaysian PM has made no reference to Nice attack or the attack in Jeddah.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-man-arrested-in-jeddah-after-attacking-french-consulate-guard-338794">Saudi man arrested in Jeddah after attacking French consulate guard</a>

Beheading of Samuel Paty, the teacher who showed Prophet Mohammed cartoons in school has prompted Emmanuel Macron&nbsp; to promise a crackdown on Islamic extremism. But the move has inflamed tensions, with protests against France erupting in several Muslim countries, with some urging a boycott of French goods.

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Since Paty's killing, French officials have re-asserted the right to display the cartoons, and the images have been widely displayed at marches in solidarity with the killed teacher.

That has prompted anger in parts of the Muslim world, with some governments accusing Macron of pursuing an anti-Islam agenda.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people".

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waded into the controversy surrounding France and the Muslim world and made a bizarre assertion saying that Muslims had the right to be angry and to "kill millions of French people". In an apparent reference to the colonial times, Mohamad justified this 'right' by mentioning ''massacres of the past". On Thursday, Mahathir Mohamad posted a series of 13 tweets from his personal Twitter handle and aired his opinions on issues ranging from women's clothing in western countries, West's adherence to their 'own religion', gender equality among other things and lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron for not being "civilised" and for being "primitive" for targetting Muslims and Islam. He started the first tweet with words 'RESPECT OTHERS' but said that he did not approve killing of the French teacher by the Chechen youth. Mohamad's tweets have come on the day when an attacker killed at least three people including a woman who he beheaded in the French city of Nice. The incident is being treated as a "terrorist" attack. The day also saw a Saudi man getting arrested in Jeddah after he attacked a guard of the French embassy in the city in Saudi Arabia. Click here for latest updates on knife attack in France 12. Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past. — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020 × In his tweets, the former Malaysian PM has made no reference to Nice attack or the attack in Jeddah. Also Read | Saudi man arrested in Jeddah after attacking French consulate guard Beheading of Samuel Paty, the teacher who showed Prophet Mohammed cartoons in school has prompted Emmanuel Macron to promise a crackdown on Islamic extremism. But the move has inflamed tensions, with protests against France erupting in several Muslim countries, with some urging a boycott of French goods. × Since Paty's killing, French officials have re-asserted the right to display the cartoons, and the images have been widely displayed at marches in solidarity with the killed teacher. That has prompted anger in parts of the Muslim world, with some governments accusing Macron of pursuing an anti-Islam agenda.

Muslims have right to be angry and kill millions of French people: Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad

Malaysia's former prime minister, Najib Razak, will give a statement at a corruption investigation looking into a transfer of millions of dollars from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), three anti-graft agency sources told Reuters.

Police have been searching Najib's home and other places linked to him as part of an investigation into scandal-plagued 1MDB, an extraordinary turn of events that few would have predicted before his shock defeat in a May 9 general election.

The summons by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) comes as part of a widening investigation into Najib.

The commission had found evidence that about $10.6 million was transferred from 1MDB's former subsidiary, SRC International, to an account belonging to Najib, said a member of a panel which reviewed the commission case files.

A Reuters witness saw commission officials arriving at Najib's residence in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday.

"They are there to serve notice to attend MACC on Tuesday next week to record a statement related to SRC," one of the sources said, adding the notice was just for Najib.

Two other MACC sources confirmed the summons, saying it had already been served.

A spokesman for Najib could not be immediately reached for comment.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, declined to comment.

Authorities in six countries, including the United States, are investigating the fund.

Shortly after Najib and his long-ruling political coalition were defeated in the polls last week, new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad barred him and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, from leaving the country.

Mahathir has said there was sufficient evidence for further investigations into 1MDB.

Police seized 284 boxes of designer handbags and dozens of bags filled with cash and jewellery on Friday from a luxury condominium in the city centre.

The summons by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) comes as part of a widening investigation into Najib

Malaysia's former prime minister, Najib Razak, will give a statement at a corruption investigation looking into a transfer of millions of dollars from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), three anti-graft agency sources told Reuters. Police have been searching Najib's home and other places linked to him as part of an investigation into scandal-plagued 1MDB, an extraordinary turn of events that few would have predicted before his shock defeat in a May 9 general election. The summons by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) comes as part of a widening investigation into Najib. The commission had found evidence that about $10.6 million was transferred from 1MDB's former subsidiary, SRC International, to an account belonging to Najib, said a member of a panel which reviewed the commission case files. A Reuters witness saw commission officials arriving at Najib's residence in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday. "They are there to serve notice to attend MACC on Tuesday next week to record a statement related to SRC," one of the sources said, adding the notice was just for Najib. Two other MACC sources confirmed the summons, saying it had already been served. A spokesman for Najib could not be immediately reached for comment. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, declined to comment. Authorities in six countries, including the United States, are investigating the fund. Shortly after Najib and his long-ruling political coalition were defeated in the polls last week, new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad barred him and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, from leaving the country. Mahathir has said there was sufficient evidence for further investigations into 1MDB. Police seized 284 boxes of designer handbags and dozens of bags filled with cash and jewellery on Friday from a luxury condominium in the city centre.

Malaysian anti-graft agency to question former PM Najib

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