Capital Economics: Malaysia's first quarter growth shows resilience in the face of global energy shock.

Gareth Leather of Capital Economics stated in a report that Malaysia's slowdown in growth in the first quarter was not due to the conflict in the Middle East, but rather demonstrated the country's resilience in the face of the current global energy shock. As the initial growth figures are mostly based on data from January and February, it is still too early to see the impact of the conflict on the country's economy. He said that Malaysia is better equipped than most countries in the region to withstand the impact of rising global energy prices. Malaysia is a small-scale net energy importer and will not feel the same trade conditions shock as other countries in the region.