Growing demand from China, India and Africa is expected to lift crude oil prices to between US$65 and US$70 per barrel this year.

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin said however, crude oil prices will not return to US$100 per barrel as previously, and US$65 to US$70 will be good enough for this year.

He told reporters this on the sidelines of the Affin Hwang Capital Conference Series 2015 in Kuala Lumpur today.

According to Daim, the decline in oil prices is not anticipated to be long-term and Malaysia should be able to overcome the challenges related to the situation.

He said the current challenge is to make strategic policy decisions in the face of uncertainty and stress.

Meanwhile, on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), he said the government needs to clear some of the confusion surrounding it.

About 350 participants attended the one-day conference which featured speakers from among policy-makers.

- Bernama