KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Malaysia has outlined a clear and focused strategy to the escalating global energy crisis, with an emphasis on safeguarding public welfare while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Following a high-level meeting of the National Economic Action Council, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government’s immediate priority is ensuring stable energy and essential goods supply to prevent disruptions to daily life.

“Our focus now is on practical and immediate efforts to guarantee sufficient energy supply while protecting the rakyat from rising costs,” he said, underscoring the importance of coordinated national action.

A key pillar of the government’s effort is leveraging the role of PETRONAS to secure energy availability in the coming months. Early planning measures are already in place to ensure supply stability despite global uncertainties.

To cushion the impact of rising costs, the government is expanding targeted subsidies, particularly additional diesel support for farmers, smallholders, and individual vehicle owners. These measures aim to sustain livelihoods and prevent inflationary pressures from cascading through the economy.

On the demand side, the administration is intensifying energy efficiency efforts, including the implementation of work-from-home arrangements for civil servants beginning tomorrow. Enforcement actions under Ops Tiris are also being strengthened to combat leakages and fuel smuggling that could undermine national supply.

Looking ahead, Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the urgency of accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on volatile imports.

“In the near term, biodiesel presents the most practical solution,” he said. “We will progressively increase the blend to B15 using existing infrastructure, allowing us to act immediately while longer-term systems are being developed.”

He added that Malaysia’s strong domestic industry base and capacity would support these efforts, helping to stabilise supply while building long-term energy resilience.

“With determination, discipline, and unity, we will navigate this challenge and ensure the well-being of our people remains protected,” he said.

Credit — Anwar Ibrahim Facebook