Kuala lumpur: The Government is maintaining broad-based economic support to preserve market stability while expanding targeted assistance for groups most affected by rising living costs, helping households navigate growing global uncertainties. Chairman of the Crisis Management Task Force (PPPK) Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said Malaysia's ability to maintain stability amid external shocks stems from early decisive intervention, coordinated policymaking and continuous efforts to secure essential supplies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Government has been working intensively across ministries and agencies to manage the situation carefully while ensuring daily life and services continue as smoothly as possible. Mohd Hassan, in an interview with BERNAMA, emphasized that efforts have been focused on finding ways to manage and mitigate the impact, with the PPPK operating under the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) to coordinate the Government's response to the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.
Mohd Hassan stated that the Government's mandate is clear, as resources are actively being allocated to shield the rakyat (people), focusing on protecting vulnerable families, keeping critical supply lines open, and managing price volatility. Stabilisation and protection measures introduced by the Government have played an important role in cushioning Malaysians from the initial impact of the global supply crisis.
To support households, the Government has strengthened direct assistance programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), including monthly aid for hardcore poor households registered under eKasih. Additionally, initiatives such as BUDI95, BUDI Diesel, and the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) have been implemented to ease fuel-related cost pressures, while targeted support is extended to e-hailing drivers, fishermen, smallholders, and agricultural producers.
Beyond direct financial assistance, measures such as price control mechanisms, anti-profiteering enforcement, Jualan RAHMAH MADANI, and Jualan Agro MADANI sales continue to help ensure essential goods remain affordable and accessible. Transport initiatives, including the My50 pass, selected KTMB fare discounts, ERL monthly travel cards, and FLYsiswa, further support these efforts by reducing commuting and travel costs for different segments of society.
The Government has also begun implementing conservation-oriented measures, including work-from-home arrangements for parts of the public sector, flexible work arrangements, electricity efficiency incentives, and accelerated renewable energy programmes to reduce overall energy intensity and strengthen long-term resilience.
However, Mohd Hassan cautioned that the country's relative stability should not be interpreted as an absence of risk. He attributed the avoidance of major disruptions to daily life to early intervention, close coordination with industry, strong diplomatic relations with key partner countries, and continuous efforts to secure alternative supply channels.
While some countries were forced to declare emergencies, impose rationing measures, or implement other drastic interventions, Malaysia has so far avoided such outcomes due to early coordination preserving stability and normalcy. Nonetheless, Mohd Hassan stressed the importance of vigilance from both the public and private sectors, as prolonged or more severe global disruptions could place greater pressure on supplies, logistics, and costs, potentially requiring stricter conservation and allocation measures.
He underscored that the response cannot be viewed simply as a subsidy issue, highlighting that today's cost-of-living pressures affect households from multiple directions, including energy, food, transport, logistics, job security, and the availability of essential goods. Mohd Hassan advocated for a whole-of-nation approach to face this complex challenge together.
As prolonged global disruptions continue to strain logistics networks and industrial inputs, managing these pressures is a shared responsibility that requires proactive Government intervention, complemented by a prepared and resilient public, as well as strong cooperation from the private sector, he said.