Kuala lumpur: The government's call for Malaysians to prioritise local goods has been seen as a strategic move to strengthen the domestic economy and cushion the impact of the global energy crisis.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof Dr Mohamad Fazli Sabri, stated that supporting Malaysian products would directly help local companies sustain and expand employment opportunities. "In the short term, this practice can ease pressure on the trade balance and the ringgit, while enhancing the country's resilience against external shocks," he mentioned.

The professor emphasized that the initiative must be supported by a comprehensive ecosystem, including incentives such as tax breaks and automation support to help manufacturers lower production costs. He also highlighted the need for tighter price monitoring to prevent profiteering under the guise of global crises or increased demand for local products.

Echoing this sentiment, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) chief executive officer Dr Saravanan Thambirajah noted that support for local goods should be driven by value rather than sentiment alone. While acknowledging the competitiveness of many local products in terms of price and quality, he stressed the importance of continued improvement in consistency and innovation to effectively compete with imported brands.

Saravanan expressed concerns about potential price hikes and lack of transparency, pointing out that without proper oversight, consumers might end up paying more for products that are not comparable in quality. He emphasized that consumer protection must remain a priority, including fair pricing, transparent labeling, and higher quality standards.

For SME entrepreneur Nor Zailin Haron, who has been producing banana chips for 15 years, the initiative offers renewed opportunities. She described the move as a positive step despite rising raw material costs. "The government's call is encouraging for small businesses. Although we face higher costs for inputs like bananas and cooking oil, we are taking proactive steps to improve production quality and marketing strategies to stay competitive," she said. She also noted the importance of digital platforms in expanding market reach, in line with growing online purchasing trends.

Meanwhile, private sector employee Sally Ainidawati Tan Saleh, 52, expressed her growing preference for local products due to more stable pricing and improved quality. "In today's challenging economic climate, local goods, especially food items, are more price-stable compared with imports, which have become more expensive. While packaging could still be improved, the quality and freshness are comparable. What matters is consistency and fair pricing," she noted.

Yesterday, in a post on X, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to strengthen the domestic economy by supporting local products and entrepreneurs, emphasizing that internal strength is the main defence in facing the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.