KOTA KINABALU: The government should act swiftly to cushion Malaysians from the rising cost of living driven by the global energy crisis, said National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM) Sabah Chapter chairman David Chan (pic).
He said surging fuel and electricity prices are hitting households hard, especially the B40 and M40 groups, while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to stay afloat.
“Rising operational costs are forcing many to either absorb losses or pass them on to consumers, which is putting inflationary pressure,” he said.
He urged for more targeted subsidies to shield vulnerable groups, including low-income households, farmers, fishermen, and essential service providers. He also called for tighter enforcement against profiteering, adding that traders must not exploit the crisis at the expense of consumers.
Chan said stabilising energy supply was critical to prevent disruptions that could cripple industries, healthcare, and daily life.
He noted that the global oil crisis should be seen as a catalyst to accelerate renewable energy adoption, particularly given the solar potential in Sabah and Sarawak.
“We propose encouraging rooftop solar systems, possibly mandating them for new development projects as well as expanding off-grid solar solutions in rural areas,” he said.
He added that, in the long run, renewable energy investment would reduce dependence on volatile global fuel markets and strengthen the country’s energy resilience.
