Penang: Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib has urged the state government to take a proactive approach in strengthening the state's internal capabilities and resilience by prioritising energy efficiency and food security in the face of ongoing tensions in West Asia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Excellency emphasized that the state government must not remain a mere observer, but instead ensure disciplined and forward-looking fiscal management to navigate the ripple effects of geopolitical tensions on global market stability, particularly in the energy sector and supply chains. Tun Ramli also called on all Penang assemblymen to uphold factual, prudent, and constructive communication.

The Governor stressed the importance of avoiding speculative statements that could create unnecessary anxiety among the public, reminding assemblymen that irresponsible remarks can have negative consequences. He delivered these remarks at the opening of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Penang State Legislative Assembly, which was also attended by his wife, Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.

Tun Ramli highlighted that Malaysia, as an open economy, is not immune to the impact of developments in the West Asian region. He noted that Malaysia remains significantly dependent on the region, with about 61 per cent of oil imports, 30 per cent of liquefied natural gas imports, and nearly 40 per cent of crude oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to critical materials such as fertiliser, helium, and sulphur.

Despite these challenges, he affirmed that the country's economic fundamentals remain strong and resilient due to the positive and decisive measures undertaken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Citing official data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Tun Ramli said Malaysia's gross domestic product growth for 2026 is projected at between 4.0 and 5.0 per cent, while inflation is expected to remain moderate at around 1.5 to 2.5 per cent, below the long-term average.

Therefore, the Governor expressed confidence that the Federal Government would continue monitoring developments prudently and implement appropriate measures to safeguard public welfare, ensure stable supplies of essentials, and sustain economic growth.