26/03/2012 (Bernama) - The government decision to halt imports of Iranian crude oil will not jeopardise the country's oil supply, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He said although Iran was Malaysia's trading partner for crude oil and palm oil, the decision to halt imports of Iranian crude oil could be replaced with imports from other countries.

"There are no major implications when the government decides to halt importing crude oil from Iran because the country has other sources including from Saudi Arabia," he told reporters after opening the financial management seminar and improvement of Malaysian Remuneration Scheme briefing here today.

Also present was Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Service president, Datuk Omar Osman.

Mustapa was commenting on the statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that Malaysia would halt imports of Iranian crude from April, two months before a US embargo takes effect.

According to the report, Petronas now imports about 50,000-60,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude.