Samsuri calls for independent council to tackle fallout from rising oil prices

2026-03-22 - 04:20

PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the proposed council can compose NGOs, academics, industry players, and civil society. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has urged the government to form a non-partisan national council to discuss economic interventions in view of the rising oil prices resulting from the Middle East conflict. Samsuri said the global economic uncertainty demanded a non-partisan approach to put national interests above politics. With the conflict persisting, he said, Malaysians are starting to feel the effects of higher energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and rising logistics costs. “This chain reaction is unavoidable and in the coming months, the nation could face higher prices for basic goods and food, steeper transport and logistics costs, and more expensive utilities and services. “There will be an even bigger impact on the job market, with affected industries possibly reducing their manpower. “Without proactive policy intervention, the risk of retrenchments may rise, especially in manufacturing, logistics, and small and medium enterprises heavily affected by higher raw material costs,” he said in a statement. The Terengganu menteri besar suggested that Putrajaya bring together NGOs, academics, industry players and civil society to collectively come up with solutions. He said such a forum would help ensure decisions are made in the country’s collective interests rather than narrow political considerations. “This is not about politics, but the country’s survival. In a world that is becoming more uncertain, Malaysia cannot be divided by party lines. “Instead, we must gather the strength of the entire country, regardless of political differences or background, to face this challenge together,” said the PAS vice-president.