TLDR: Strengthening the Public Transport System will reduce the volatility of external economic uncertainty, while implementing a four day workweek will be a structural boon to Malaysia in general
Four months into her tenure as Federal Territories Minister, Hannah Yeoh has received considerable media attention. She recently announced a new initiative: “Bangun KL: Ke Arah Kuala Lumpur Yang Lebih Sejahtera.” This project seeks to reduce morning traffic by encouraging drivers to leave earlier, providing RM5 Zus discounts at 250 outlets. On the surface, this appears logical. BFM reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, that officials believe even a minor shift could significantly improve traffic flow and reduce gridlock. However, the Minister appears to overlook that this will not contribute to Malaysia’s resilience against global economic uncertainty. Given the current conflict in Iran and ongoing geopolitical instability, direct action is required rather than policies that primarily benefit corporations. In this article, I will present three points: the current global economic situation, my perspectives on immediate and long-term solutions, and my concluding thoughts.
Status Quo
In the year 2026, unprecedented geopolitical tensions have created significant economic uncertainties worldwide. United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched coordinated military operations, codenamed “Epic Fury” and “Roaring Lion”, against the Iranian regime on February 28. These campaigns targeted Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership, aiming to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. In response, Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the transit route for 20% of global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and 25% of global seaborne oil trade - according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This blockade has directly restricted the international supply of key energy commodities, intensifying volatility in global markets and causing widespread economic ripple effects.
The economic fallout has been severe. Brent Crude Oil rose sharply from about $72.30 per barrel before the campaign to just north of $102, a 31.69% increase in six weeks, according to Trading Economics. In response, the government implemented stopgap measures to manage costs and fiscal pressures. Starting April 1, the monthly subsidised quota for Budi95 petrol is reduced from 300 to 200 litres, and prices of RON97 and diesel were increased to RM5.15 and RM5.52 per litre, respectively - as reported by The Edge. Such increases were necessary after Malaysia’s RON95 fuel subsidy bill jumped from RM700 million in January to RM4 billion in April which were reported in the April 2026 Malaysia Economic Monitor report released on April 9. These developments expose Malaysia’s vulnerability to global market fluctuations and underscore the unsustainability of heavily subsidised fuel during periods of global instability.
Subsequently, Hannah Yeoh announced the aforementioned project—“Bangun KL: Ke Arah Kuala Lumpur Yang Lebih Sejahtera”—which aims to reduce fuel wastage during these challenging times by alleviating congestion. However, in my assessment, this is another initiative from the current Government that appears to prioritise corporate interests without offering sufficient incentives for the public, who are otherwise prompted to purchase marginally overpriced coffee. Nonetheless, an alternate policy direction remains attainable.
The Solutions
To address road congestion immediately, a straightforward solution exists: increase funding for public transportation by incrementally phasing out fuel subsidies. At RM4 billion per month, these funds could expedite the completion of the Shah Alam line, now postponed until June at the latest. Additionally, the reliability of train services, particularly the Kelana Jaya line, requires improvement; Prasarana has acknowledged this through the submission of a recovery plan following LRT disruptions. However, improving train services alone is insufficient, as many workplaces are not located near train stations, compelling commuters to use taxis or e-hailing services, which undermines the intended benefits and may encourage continued private vehicle use. The only way to create sustained changes in behaviour is to also enhance and expand bus services. A 2019 research study by Juan de Dios Ortúzar of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, entitled: “Sustainable Urban Mobility: What Can Be Done to Achieve It?” found that buses use significantly less space per passenger; it is quantifiable that “a bus is about 12 times more efficient than a car in terms of congestion” in Santiago, a city with a population of approximately 6.72 million in 2019, according to MacroTrends. Whether Malaysia achieves similar results remains to be seen; however, if the effects are comparable, this would strongly justify investment. By this metric, Malaysia can not only reduce its vulnerability to fluctuating global petrol prices but also help address cost-of-living issues in the post-COVID context.
On a long-term basis, as the workforce continues to exhibit increasing productivity, it is necessary to consider reducing the length of the workweek. Systems, Applications, & Products in Data Processing (SAP) reported that in the summer of 2019, the Japan division of Microsoft implemented a pilot programme that granted employees a four-day workweek with Fridays off (while maintaining full pay). This was facilitated by encouraging shorter meetings and promoting online communication over in-person interactions. The results were highly encouraging: productivity increased by 40%, and electricity consumption fell by 23%. At the time of the SAP report, this scheme remained in place. Should a similar approach be adopted domestically, it is highly likely that the productivity of Malaysia’s workforce could improve, benefitting local SMEs by reducing electricity costs, which are directly impacted by the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Nonetheless, critics such as the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers point out that high public holiday counts and current leave entitlements already bring the effective working week close to four days for many workers. As an alternative arrangement, for positions in the secondary sector such as manufacturing, it may be more practical to implement a 10-hour workday instead, potentially increasing productivity. Bill Murray who wrote a piece in Offsite Investors notes that such arrangements can enhance work-life balance, operational efficiencies, team dynamics, and talent attraction, although he cautions that longer hours may physically exhaust some employees. He concludes that ultimately, "clear communication, upfront planning, and a willingness to adapt" are crucial to the success of any workweek restructuring initiative.
Final Thoughts
Malaysia must act now: emancipate workers and invest boldly in public transportation. Timid neoliberal policies fail to address the severity of the global economic and climate crises we face. The Government must decisively commit to change—not just for its workers, who generate the nation’s prosperity, but for the environment as well, building a green, sustainable economy. By taking strong action, we can build a more resilient workforce and resilient society—one that serves many, not a privileged few.
Timothy (timothytanyeantim@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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