Malaysian sultan warns Asean staring at ‘economic crisis’ over Hormuz closure

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has affected every Asean nation, with a crisis looming, according to Malaysia’s Sultan Nazrin Shah.The Perak ruler said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East would directly affect the economies of countries in the region.“The surging prices of energy, fertilisers and transport are driving up food prices, increasing production and distribution costs, and fuelling inflation. The worst affected are countries with low energy reserves,” he said in his keynote address before launching the Putrajaya Forum held during the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2026 exhibitions on Tuesday.“An economic crisis is looming. Livelihoods will continue to be affected for months even if the strait is reopened in the near term,” he said.“It is therefore imperative that negotiations to end the West Asian (Middle East) conflict are concluded swiftly and successfully.”He also reflected on the pressing environmental issue, urging prompt action.“Environmental security is not a luxury agenda to be deferred until wealthier times. It is the foundation on which every other aspect of planetary and human security rests,” he said.“A region that cannot feed itself, supply itself with water, or protect its coastlines from inundation cannot be secure in any meaningful sense, however sophisticated its military technologies are.”“I would therefore urge this forum to adopt planetary health as a formal pillar of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ comprehensive security framework, not as a gesture of environmental conscience, but as a recognition of strategic reality,” he said.02:39Middle East war fuels Asia’s energy crisis: queues, shut schools and ruined livelihoods