SHAH ALAM, April 19 — The mounting West Asia conflict is an early sign for Malaysia to strengthen its energy security, said Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia fellow Prof Datuk Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
He added that tensions along strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade, has sparked concerns about global energy supply and prices.
Awang Azman said the conflict doesn’t just involve a couple of nations but affects the entire world’s economic system.
“This crisis has exposed weaknesses in Malaysia’s energy structure, which still depends on fossil (fuels),” he said on Media Selangor’s Ruang Bicara programme titled “West Asia Conflict: How Affected is Malaysia?” that was aired on April 14.
He added that although Malaysia has started its transition to renewables, progress is slower than future challenges.
“This crisis should be a sort of wake-up call that energy security is not about whether there is supply, but the country’s ability to weather months-long shocks without jeopardising economic, social and political stability,” said the Universiti Malaya lecturer.
“Malaysia must do both — diversify energy import sources and strengthen ASEAN partnerships,” he explained.
Awang Azman added that amid an increasingly uncertain world, a country’s strength no longer depends on domestic capabilities, but in its ability to build up resilience along with its neighbours.
In a related development, PETRONAS said domestic oil supply is sufficient till the end of June, bringing short-term relief.
Awang Azman advised the people not to panic, and instead be more prepared to face potential crisis effects like increased living costs.
“The government must provide continuous, educational and factual explanations so the people understand and are prepared, not just soothe (the people),” he said.
As of yesterday, media reports said Iran confirmed the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened to commercial vessels for 10-days following a ceasefire between the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, the United States, and Israel.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post that the strait is open to commercial vessels in that period, according to Reuters.
On Friday, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced the RM131 million Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package formulated to help the state face the fallout from the West Asia conflict.
The first phase, starting in June, aims to boost food security and control inflation. The aid packages targeted at vulnerable groups use state allocations under the 2026 Selangor Budget, which has been reviewed to suit current needs.
