MTEN Studying Steps To Diversify Fuel Input Sources Amid Global Energy Crisis - Akmal Nasrullah
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The National Economic Action Council (MTEN) has studied measures to diversify fuel input sources, strengthen strategic cooperation with key trading partners, and ensure the security of production inputs amid the global energy crisis.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the government is focusing on the resilience of the nation’s supply.
“Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and the relevant agencies are taking action on it. At the same time, Bank Negara Malaysia has been instructed to provide financing support to affected firms,” he said at the global energy crisis briefing broadcast live on local television stations today.
Akmal Nasrullah said the Economy Ministry has been tasked with coordinating a comprehensive approach and initiatives covering macroeconomic, fiscal, financial, and sectoral policies so that all measures taken are mutually supportive and truly effective.
“This includes coordination with relevant ministries to identify appropriate actions and interventions based on the affected sectors, not only in the short term but also in the medium term, as the crisis is expected to impact the economy and recovery efforts over the next six months to one year,” he said.
According to Akmal Nasrullah, several practical measures have also been agreed upon to reduce daily pressures and ensure operational continuity, These include flexible working hours and the implementation of work from home for the public service sector starting April 15, 2026, except for critical sectors such as security, healthcare, and education.
He said that at today’s MTEN meeting, three papers were discussed -- Paper 1: Measures to combat leakages and smuggling; Paper 2: National security of medicines and medical devices; and Paper 3: Scenarios and impact of the global energy crisis on haj operations.
On the first paper, he said the three main strategies outlined are enhancing supply chain surveillance (such as at petrol stations and borders), implementing Ops Tiris 4.0 in an integrated manner with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), Royal Malaysian Police (borders), and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (maritime), as well as adopting a “whole of nation” approach.
“This matter will be updated by Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) or KPDN,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that short-term measures to ensure the security of medicines and medical devices include centralised monitoring of drug stocks, diversifying import sources, activating emergency response plans, designating certain items as controlled items, and implementing the Special Access Pathway to ensure access to critical needs.
“For Paper 2, the government is also considering stronger medium- and long-term measures, including establishing a national strategic buffer stock, transitioning from the use of resin raw materials to polymers for certain products, developing a national medicine security policy through MyMedSecure, and empowering the local pharmaceutical and medical device industries,” he said.
On Paper 3, Akmal Nasrullah said MTEN was briefed on the status of 31,600 Malaysian haj pilgrims, with the government’s priority being to ensure their safety.
He said that in an uncertain global environment, the government will continue to act in an orderly and comprehensive manner to ensure that the people stay protected, strategic national supplies remain secure, and Malaysia’s economy continues to be resilient.
“Our focus is not merely to monitor the crisis. Our focus is to manage its impact, reduce the risks, and ensure that the people can get through this challenging period in the best way possible,” he added.
-- BERNAMA