Malaysia Able to Manage Impact of Strait of Hormuz Disruption, Economy Remains Resilient
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is still able to absorb the impact of trade disruption in the Strait of Hormuz through supply chain adjustments, cost absorption by firms, and government policy measures that help limit cost pass-through to domestic prices, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
He said as an open economy, Malaysia is not immune to the spillover effects of the disruption, but the situation is being closely monitored and managed continuously through the government’s early intervention measures.
“The government remains committed, and the priority is to protect the people, ensure essential supplies remain stable, help industries continue operating, and strengthen the country’s economic resilience,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
He was responding to questions from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Anak Begri (GPS-Betong), Datuk Seri Utama Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) and Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) regarding the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure on Malaysia’s economy and trade.
According to Akmal Nasrullah, the country’s economic fundamentals remain resilient, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing by 5.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong domestic demand.
“The government has mobilised intervention measures through four main clusters, including the protection of the people and the stabilisation of supply and prices, to ensure essential supplies remain sufficient, help industries continue operating, and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.
“In addition, the government conducts daily monitoring of the supply and prices of essential goods. Coordination is also being carried out with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and industry players to ensure the continuity of the country’s energy supply, while diversifying sources of raw material supply,” he said.
He said the government is also strengthening targeted assistance and subsidies to ease the cost of living burden, including through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95), BUDI MADANI Diesel, the Subsidised Diesel Control System, as well as assistance to vulnerable groups.
In the context of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), he said the government’s focus is not merely on managing the current crisis but ensuring the economy is better prepared to face future global shocks through efforts to strengthen trade and investment diversification.
“This step is important so that the country has wider supply options should global disruption be prolonged,” he said.
Akmal Nasrullah said the government does not consider the global economic risks to have fully ended despite more positive diplomatic developments at the international level.
Bernama