DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has cautioned against politicising the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict, urging critics to recognise that the country is facing the spillover of a broader global crisis.
He stressed that the economic pressures currently affecting Malaysia, particularly rising fuel costs and living expenses, are not unique to the country but are being experienced worldwide.
“Just try—let them (the opposition) go to the Strait of Hormuz now, or go to West Asian countries and see for themselves. In reality, we are quite fortunate. Do not keep using global problems as something to blame on the government.
“This is a reality we must accept,” he said after a monthly assembly at the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development today.
Zahid also revealed that the government will further deliberate on diesel subsidy requests, including those involving deep-sea fishermen in Zone C2, at upcoming meetings of the National Action Council on Cost of Living and the National Economic Action Council.
He noted that the fiscal burden of fuel subsidies has surged sharply, rising from RM700 million to RM3.5 billion, underscoring the strain on government resources.
“This is a very heavy burden. We must be rational and all parties need to accept that this is not caused by domestic factors but by the crisis in West Asia,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister warned that rural communities are among the hardest hit, with 8.1 million people reliant on fuel subsidies and basic logistics networks.
Smallholder rubber farmers, who account for about 84.7 per cent of national natural rubber production, are particularly vulnerable to rising input costs and price volatility.
He added that more than 224,000 Orang Asli are also facing mounting challenges as higher fuel costs disrupt water supply, student transportation, healthcare access, and the delivery of essential aid to remote areas.
“If the disruptions continue into May or June, the pressure will shift from merely higher costs to real cash flow stress within rural communities, as well as the possible need for additional assistance programmes by government agencies.
“This crisis is not meant to instil fear, but to be addressed with effective and decisive action,” he said.
Zahid emphasised that the government is taking proactive mitigation measures, including maintaining subsidies, stabilising prices, and implementing targeted interventions to protect vulnerable groups.
He added that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development remains focused on ensuring rural communities can withstand the impact of the global crisis. - April 2, 2026
