Kuala lumpur: The government is focusing on policy adjustments to manage cost pressures while simultaneously ensuring the supply of basic necessities needed to address the impact of the global supply crisis. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has not yet shown a convincing resolution, despite certain diplomatic developments. He emphasized that the issue involves not only potential physical supply disruptions but also encompasses risk premiums, insurance costs, logistics, delivery delays, and disruptions to the global supply chain.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Akmal Nasrullah explained that the current scenario is no longer a short-term shock but has evolved into a global supply crisis affecting various sectors such as energy, logistics, raw materials, food, and services. He described the phase as one of prolonged stress management rather than initial shock management. The minister noted that the uncertainty could impact energy costs and the global supply chain for up to 18 months, influenced by geopolitical developments and the recovery of trade routes. He pointed out that Malaysia is not exempt from global pressures affecting different sectors.

Akmal also provided insights into oil price movements, stating that during the period from April 13 to 17, 2026, the average global spot price of Brent crude oil decreased by 11.6 per cent, from US$31.67 per barrel to US$17.85 per barrel. Despite a peak of US$32.46 per barrel last week, prices remain below the crisis-driven peak of US$44.46 recorded after the outbreak of the crisis in West Asia. He added that the movement of world oil prices indicates the ongoing nature of the crisis and the expectation of continued pressure.

Addressing Malaysia's economic performance, Akmal Nasrullah noted that several economic indicators remain strong despite the challenging global environment. The FBM KLCI closed at 1,695.21 points on April 17, 2026, a weekly increase of 3.9 points or 0.23 per cent, continuing the positive momentum since the end of March. Over the past six weeks, the index has risen by 0.29 per cent, with the index strengthening to 1,702.30 points, reflecting resilient investor confidence in domestic economic fundamentals.

Akmal shared a preliminary gross domestic product (GDP) estimate, indicating expected growth of 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 4.4 per cent in the same period last year. This performance aligns with market analysts' expectations of between 5.1 and 5.6 per cent, potentially surpassing regional economies like Singapore at 4.6 per cent and China at five per cent. He cautioned that these figures should not be seen as a sign that pressures have passed, but rather as evidence of economic resilience in the face of external pressures. He stressed that several indicators for March 2026 have yet to be finalized, and the full impact of the crisis typically reaches the economy with a lag through logistics costs, import prices, investment decisions, and consumer sentiment.