THE government is intensifying efforts to safeguard the country’s energy security through the end of the year as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt global oil and gas supply chains.
Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said current national energy reserves are projected to remain stable until July, while urgent measures are being implemented to secure additional fuel and gas supplies from overseas markets in anticipation of prolonged global instability.
Fadillah, who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said the government’s immediate priority was to reduce domestic energy consumption in order to prolong the lifespan of existing national reserves.
“We want to reduce usage and encourage energy conservation so that we can extend the lifespan of our oil and gas supplies.
“So far, God willing, our energy supply security is sufficient until July.
“Petronas is working tirelessly to secure supply sources, even if it means going as far as Africa. God willing, we will be able to ensure our energy security until December,” he said.
He was speaking after launching the SuRIA Home Solar Rebate and Sustainability Incentive initiative during the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation in Putrajaya on Friday.
Also present were Deputy Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad and PETRA secretary-general Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli.
Fadillah warned that the unfolding global energy crisis was expected to affect the broader economic chain beyond fuel markets, particularly as supply shortages begin affecting industrial and consumer sectors in subsequent phases of the crisis.
“Many of the effects will be felt during the second and third phases due to supply shortages, and this will impact other sectors such as healthcare because plastics are needed for packaging and many other applications.
“The manufacturing sector and others will also be affected. This will inevitably impact the people as a whole, especially as the government continues bearing enormous subsidy costs to shield the rakyat from the full impact,” he said.
He added that the National Economic Action Council, which now convenes weekly, is conducting extensive engagement sessions with multiple industries to assess the economic fallout from the crisis and identify measures to mitigate disruptions.
“The meetings are also aimed at examining how the government can help reduce these effects and ensure business continuity, particularly for small and medium enterprises.
“This requires cooperation from everyone. Every level of society must play its role, especially when implementing work-from-home arrangements. People must genuinely work from home and not be elsewhere,” he said.
Malaysia, like many energy-importing economies, has faced growing pressure from volatile fuel prices and supply chain disruptions following renewed tensions in West Asia, prompting governments worldwide to reassess energy resilience strategies and conservation measures. - May 22, 2026
