Government warns that damage to West Asia’s energy infrastructure will cause prolonged global supply disruptions, even with a temporary US-Iran truce.
PUTRAJAYA: The impact of the West Asia conflict on global energy supplies is expected to persist despite a two-week ceasefire agreed between Iran and the United States, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The MADANI Government spokesperson explained that the damage to ecosystems and energy infrastructure in the region will take a long time to be fully repaired even with a temporary peace.
He revealed that the Cabinet and the National Economic Action Council were informed repairs to critical infrastructure like storage tanks, pipelines, and processing facilities could take from several months to several years.
“What is most important for Malaysians to understand is that, even though a temporary peace has been achieved, the effects of the conflict continue to be felt due to the damage to ecosystems and energy infrastructure in the Gulf countries,” he said during a post-Cabinet press conference.
Fahmi added that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is severely disrupting the global supply chain, with around 2,000 vessels reportedly stranded compared to the usual 200 passing through daily before the conflict.
He noted that the movement of large fuel tankers takes considerable time due to safety precautions, further disrupting the smooth delivery of energy supplies worldwide.
The minister stressed that the government’s current priority is to ensure domestic supply issues are managed effectively to minimise public impact.
“Vessel movements in the strait and in open waters take quite a long time, as these are large vessels carrying highly flammable fuel,” he said.
Fahmi emphasised that resolving supply issues remains the top priority for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar welcomed the latest development in the conflict in a Facebook post, following a 10-point plan from Iran that was positively received by the US.
He said the proposal augurs well for the restoration of peace and stability both in the region and globally.
