KUALA LUMPUR: A special National Economic Action Council (NEAC) meeting will be held on Wednesday (March 25) to deliberate on further measures as the government prepares for economic implications from the prolonged West Asia conflict.
The meeting follows a special National Security Council (NSC) session on Tuesday (March 24) chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to manage the situation through a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
The NSC said in a statement that Malaysia welcomes recent developments where all parties involved halted attacks for five days, viewing the window as an opportunity for sincere negotiations.
The council noted these developments led to a decline in international oil prices.
The Prime Minister held telephone conversations yesterday with leaders from New Zealand, Japan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
The NSC stressed that Malaysia will continue to play a proactive role in resolving the conflict by maintaining close relations with international counterparts.
"Malaysia has several key attributes to play this role. For instance, with the exception of Israel, Malaysia maintains good relations with all major parties involved. Its consistent stance, neutrality and frank approach have earned it respect," the council said.
Tuesday's meeting also emphasised national security issues, including intelligence agency activities in Malaysia, prevention of fuel smuggling and monitoring the condition of Malaysian peacekeeping forces (Malbatt) currently deployed in Lebanon.
The council added that the government will continue taking proactive measures to ensure national security and safeguard the welfare of the people during this challenging period.
Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb 28. - Bernama
