Howard Lee says an energy, fertiliser, and helium crisis would hit food prices, logistics, hospitals, electronics, semiconductors, and manufacturing.
While a two-week ceasefire has been reached according to US president Donald Trump, DAP’s Howard Lee said the crisis could still prolong or worsen.
“If Trump chooses further escalation, and if the Strait of Hormuz is closed more tightly or for longer, the world may soon face a triple shock: first energy, then fertiliser, then helium.
“Oil is the most visible pressure point, but fertiliser is what sustains food production, and helium is critical for healthcare and advanced industry.
“If these supply lines are disrupted in a prolonged way, the consequences will not stop at the petrol pump. They will spread into food prices, farm output, logistics, hospitals, electronics, fibre optics, semiconductors, and manufacturing,” the Ipoh Timor MP said in a statement.
Lee urged Putrajaya to seek Parliament’s approval for strategic, targeted allocations to protect people, businesses, and jobs from the cascading effect of the crisis.
He said strategic spending could take the form of a stimulus package or contingency shield, but must involve targeted and output-based incentives, assistance, and subsidies.
“We should support outcomes that keep the economy functioning: food produced, goods moved, patients treated, jobs retained, exports delivered, and essential services maintained. Strategic sectors and essential industries must be kept operational.
“Parliament must also be given a full and honest accounting of Malaysia’s exposure: fuel and liquefied natural gas supply; fertiliser and feedstocks; animal feed; food imports; helium; medical inputs; shipping routes; and industrial raw materials.
“We need clarity on reserves, vulnerabilities, alternatives, and the trigger points for intervention,” Lee added.
While Malaysia entered the ongoing energy crisis in a relatively strong position, the MP said similar impacts already felt by regional neighbours could be seen in a matter of weeks.
“Malaysia cannot afford to govern this crisis one headline at a time. If the world moves from energy shock to fertiliser shock to helium shock, then our response must be ready before the pain becomes visible everywhere.
“In times like these, foresight is not a luxury. It is the first duty of the government,” he said. - FMT
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