KUALA LUMPUR April 23, 2026 – As the economic ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in West Asia continue to pressure Malaysia’s food prices, energy costs and livelihoods, only two state governments have announced dedicated resilience and stimulus packages so far.
Selangor became the first to act on 16 April, unveiling the RM130.42 million Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package (Pakej Pengukuhan Daya Tahan Selangor Fasa 1). The package focuses on food security, controlling inflation, assisting vulnerable groups, and supporting affected sectors such as oil and gas, fertiliser and public transport. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stressed that the state cannot afford a “wait-and-see” approach because the crisis is expected to linger for at least another year even if fighting stops soon.
Kelantan followed suit on 22 April with a smaller but targeted RM2 million People’s Economic Stimulus Package. The allocation will be split equally — RM1 million each — to help farmers and small industry operators (IKS) directly impacted by rising costs and global supply disruptions.
Political activist and writer Liyana Marzuki welcomed the moves in a post on X today, saying the “thought that counts” matters more than the size of the allocations.
“Setakat ni, hanya 2 negeri yang buat pakej ransangan dan daya tahan untuk rakyat negeri mereka,” she wrote. “Jangan dilihat pada angka, pada saya. The thoughts that counts.”
Liyana particularly praised Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud for what she described as mature and non-partisan politics.
“Saya perhatikan MB Kelantan ni strategik. Dia tak gocoh2 berpolitik, amalkan politik matang. Dengan PMX pun dia ok,” she noted.
She urged all other states to follow quickly, warning that the war’s economic impact will be prolonged and that governments should prioritise helping the people over deficit worries.
“Masa sekarang dah tak perlu fikir sangat soal defisit. Kalau Kerajaan perlu berbelanja bantu rakyat, buatlah. Jangan sakau dan songlap sahaja,” she added, cautioning the current administration not to repeat past practices of misusing public funds.
Liyana ended her message with a stark reminder: any repeat of old habits could cost the government dearly in the next general election (GE16).
So far, no other states have publicly announced similar packages. Observers expect more announcements in the coming days as the federal government and state administrations continue to monitor the situation.
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