A REEL that appeared on my Instagram feed portrayed a Gen Z waking up year after year to one global crisis after another – the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, the Iran war, and the recent hantavirus scare even though it is understood to be well contained.
The consequences of these crises linger long after headlines move on. The disruption to the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes – as a result of the Iran war has sent ripple effects across the global economy almost immediately.
Malaysia has not been spared. One of the clearest examples is diesel prices, which recently surged to RM6.72 per litre for non-subsidised users. While diesel vehicles may not dominate Malaysian roads, diesel remains the backbone of key industries such as logistics, agriculture and transportation which underpin nearly every aspect of daily life.
This impact is not limited to diesel fuel. The Star described a commuter’s shock at seeing unsubsidised fuel prices hit around RM65 compared to the RM40 he usually spends weekly on subsidised RON95 fuel. While subsidies are cushioning Malaysians for now, such protections may become harder to sustain if global oil prices continue rising.
Farmers meanwhile are grappling with soaring operational costs. According to the Cameron Highlands Floriculturist Association, fertiliser prices have increased between 30% and 50% since the start of the war. Farmers have further warned that vegetable prices could increase by as much as 50% in the short term if the war drags on.
At the same time, manufacturers are facing sharp increases in the cost of plastic resin and imported raw materials. Consumers are already beginning to notice these strains. The recent shortage of Farm Fresh’s two-litre milk bottles, caused by disruptions in plastic packaging supply, is an illustration of how deeply interconnected modern supply chains have become.
These impacts will be felt acutely by young Malaysians. Many fresh graduates are already entering a difficult labour market marked by stagnant wages and intense competition. With economists warning that prices for certain goods could rise between 5% and 10% due to current disruptions, even small increases in daily expenses can quickly strain the finances of young workers earning around RM3,000 a month.
While each increase may seem manageable on its own, its cumulative cost chips away at an already fragile financial stability.
This is perhaps what distinguishes Gen Z from previous generations. Many young people today have never truly experienced prolonged stability. Our formative years were shaped by lockdowns, political instability and global conflicts.
As Gen Zs, we consume crises differently too. Livestreams and algorithm-driven feeds have collapsed the distance between Malaysia and conflict zones within seconds. The emotional toll of this constant exposure should not be underestimated, with many young people growing increasingly exhausted by a world that feels perpetually volatile and shaped by overlapping crises they had no part in creating.
Yet amid these challenges, the Iran war also demonstrates how exposed Malaysia remains to external shocks. News reports have highlighted how rising fuel, fertiliser and shipping costs are already disrupting industries across the country, from agriculture to manufacturing.
Short-term relief measures such as subsidies and targeted aid remain important, especially for lower-income households, gig workers and small businesses struggling to absorb rising costs. But subsidies alone cannot become the answer every time the world faces another geopolitical crisis.
Malaysia must start thinking more seriously about resilience not just in the economic sense, but also generational-wise. The current crisis should be a wake-up call to accelerate investments in renewable energy, improve public transportation and strengthen food security so the country is less vulnerable to future disruptions.
Analysts have pointed out that countries with stronger renewable energy systems are currently better positioned to weather global energy shocks, with China now sourcing roughly half of its electricity from renewables. Most importantly, policymakers must recognise that protecting young Malaysians extends beyond helping them survive the next crisis. The priority should be to build an economy where they can still realistically afford housing, transportation and a stable future despite an increasingly unpredictable world.
For a generation already accustomed to uncertainty, the greatest danger may not simply be living through crisis after crisis, but slowly beginning to believe that instability is all the future has to offer.
Malaysian youth advocate Jonathan Lee Rong Sheng traces his writing roots to The Star’s BRATs programme. The views expressed here are his own.
