National Resilience Demands More Than Government Action; Public Cooperation Is Equally Critical - Hassan Marican

By Soraya Jamal

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (BERNAMA) -- Prolonged and increasingly complex global supply disruptions mean that building national resilience can no longer rely on government action alone; public cooperation is just as critical, said Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican, chairman of the Crisis Management Task Force (PPPK).

He cautioned that while the global economy has long operated in an environment of relatively stable and abundant supply, rising geopolitical and economic uncertainties are now testing that assumption. 

“In this environment, every adjustment matters, whether it is optimising our travel, cutting down on electricity and fuel waste, building smarter logistics chains, maximising public transport, or simply being more deliberate with household spending.

“Every bit of efficiency helps shield our economy from these global pressures,” he said in an interview with BERNAMA recently.

PPPK, which operates under the National Economic Action Council (MTEN), is responsible for coordinating the government's response to the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.

Resilience, Mohd Hassan explained, is not just about stockpiling more supplies; it is about using what is available more wisely, cutting waste and adjusting consumption habits as conditions change.

With global competition for resources heating up, conservation and careful resource management will grow increasingly critical to a nation's ability to weather external shocks.

He called on Malaysians to understand that daily choices, collectively, influence the country's capacity to face what lies ahead.

"Every litre of fuel consumed unnecessarily, every instance of hoarding and every form of wastage add pressure to supply systems that are already under strain.

"At the household level, financial prudence and adaptability remain essential. Families should prioritise essential spending, minimise waste, manage debt responsibly and plan their finances carefully to strengthen their resilience against economic uncertainties," he said. 

Mohd Hassan highlighted energy efficiency as another key factor. Simple actions, such as cutting unnecessary travel, improving fuel efficiency, and moderating electricity use, can help ease pressure on household finances and national resources alike. 

He also highlighted the urgent need to tackle food waste across the supply chain.

“In Malaysia, a significant amount of food is still lost along the supply chain through wastage, including food that gets spoiled or goes past its expiry date before reaching consumers.

“Industry estimates suggest that losses at the distribution stage alone can reach around 10 per cent or more, with even greater wastage occurring further down the chain at retail outlets and in households,” he said.

Moving forward, he affirmed that the government will maintain its focus on resilience, targeted assistance and fiscal discipline, while simultaneously building strategic capabilities across critical sectors, including energy, food security, logistics and industrial supply chains.

“We are backed by robust institutions, strong domestic energy capabilities, experienced leadership and seamless industry coordination across industry and the Government.

“Crucially, we have weathered severe crises before, and the lessons learned from the past significantly fortify our response capacity today,” he concluded. 

-- BERNAMA