SHAH ALAM, March 29 — The public has been urged to spend prudently and plan their finances by preparing expenditure budgets according to their needs following the conflict in the Middle East.
State executive councillor for rural development, unity, and consumer affairs Datuk Rizam Ismail said the public must remain aware and vigilant of tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as these have an impact, particularly on food supply chains.
“When the Strait of Hormuz is closed, it affects up to 25 per cent of the world’s oil, and this has a knock-on effect on agricultural input costs and food prices, compounded by hot weather.
“That is why the public needs to be aware of this situation, as the cost of agricultural goods and daily food items will also rise. They need to practise prudent spending; if previously there was no budgeting, it should now be done and better organised to face challenging times,” he told Media Selangor.
Rizam added that the phased implementation of working from home for civil servants would also help the public cope with global conflicts.
Meanwhile, his office is working closely with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to ensure sufficient food supply for Selangor's residents.
“It is not just about supply, but also price control to ensure no party takes advantage of the ongoing crisis.
“We will strive to ensure that food supply remains sufficient in Selangor, as the state is a key hub of Malaysia with a large population,” Rizam said.
