KUALA LUMPUR — As Malaysian-linked vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, analysts say Putrajaya must carefully weigh its diplomatic options, with personal ties offering limited leverage in a high-stakes geopolitical crisis.
Senior analyst and consultant at Global Asia Consulting, Samirul Ariff Othman, said while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s relationship with US President Donald Trump could help open communication channels, it is unlikely to be a decisive solution.
“Only at the margin. A personal line to Washington may help Malaysia secure attention, seek exemptions, communicate urgency, or obtain faster clarification on sanctions, inspections, or naval operating rules. But it cannot by itself reopen a strategic waterway if the underlying military and legal conditions are hostile,” he said.
Samirul stressed that Malaysia’s exposure is significant, noting that roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passes through the strait, much of it bound for Asia.
“Malaysia is especially exposed because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said nearly half of Malaysia’s oil supply passes through the strait,” he said, adding that disruptions would still affect the country despite some domestic production, given global pricing mechanisms and Malaysia’s position as a net importer of certain fuels.
On the immediate impact, he said consumers may not see a sudden spike in fuel prices due to subsidies and short-term interventions, but broader economic pressure is likely to build.
“The first impact is not necessarily an instant pump-price jump, because Malaysia can smooth some shocks through subsidies, inventory management, and temporary administrative measures,” he said.
However, he warned that rising import costs, freight and insurance rates, as well as tightening supply for industries, could trigger wider inflation.
“That means the first-round effect is fuel stress; the second-round effect is broader cost-push inflation through transport, packaging, and distribution,” he added.
He emphasised that while political relationships can facilitate faster communication and short-term coordination, they should not replace institutional or multilateral approaches, particularly in a crisis involving a critical global chokepoint.
Separately, Malaysian geostrategist Professor Azmi Hassan said leveraging diplomatic ties may also serve a domestic signalling purpose, but resolving the situation on the ground must remain the priority to avoid public concern over supply security.
He noted that the situation has grown more complex, with Malaysia now navigating both Iranian control of the waterway and a United States-led blockade.
“Previously, it was only the Iranians controlling safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Now, with Trump’s blockade, we have to deal with two entities,” the senior fellow at Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research (NASR) said, adding that Malaysia maintains ties with Tehran but must also engage Washington.
Azmi said the presence of six Malaysian-linked tankers represents a significant volume of oil, making the situation urgent, though still potentially resolvable through diplomacy.
He noted that the vessels originated from Gulf states rather than Iranian ports, which could offer room for negotiation with both sides as a short-term solution.
“So, it is going to be very difficult, but I think it is something that can be resolved because the six tankers do not originate from Iranian ports, but from Gulf nations.
“This is something that can be resolved diplomatically when dealing with both the Iranians and Washington. These are short-term measures,” he added.
Looking ahead, Azmi stressed the need for Malaysia to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels to mitigate future vulnerabilities.
He said the crisis underscores how geopolitical risks can quickly disrupt supply chains, reinforcing the urgency of investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind.
Earlier, seven tankers were allowed to transit the strait during the ongoing Middle East tensions. However, only one has successfully passed through, with the remaining six once again stranded due to the blockade, creating ripple effects for Malaysia’s energy security. — April 15, 2026
The post Malaysia should weigh diplomatic options as Hormuz crisis deepens: Analysts appeared first on Scoop.
