Is Malaysia Ready for Global Economic Shocks? Expert Weighs In

Malaysia's Economic Preparedness for Global Shocks Analyzed Amidst Israel-Iran Conflict Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – June 16, 2025 – The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict, are causing significant ripples across the global economy. In a recent interview with Astro AWANI, Dr. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd., offered a detailed assessment of Malaysia's readiness to face these global challenges. Dr. Rashid highlighted the impact of rising oil prices, a weakening Ringgit, and investor hesitancy as key indicators of the economic pressure. "Geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Iran conflict, are not only causing concerns about regional security," he explained, "but also having a direct impact on the global economy, including Malaysia." The interview delved into Malaysia's fiscal and monetary policies, and the level of investor confidence. The discussion explored whether the country is proactively addressing potential crises or merely reacting to them as they occur. Dr. Rashid's insights provide a crucial perspective on Malaysia's economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. His analysis serves as a call for proactive strategies to mitigate the impact of future geopolitical events. The interview concluded with a discussion on the importance of maintaining investor confidence and the need for a pragmatic approach to economic policy in the face of global uncertainty.