KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 -- A recent survey conducted during the ongoing Middle East crisis shows that Malaysians are more worried about food and grocery prices than fuel costs despite the global oil supply disruption dominating headlines.

According to the Malaysia Cost Pressure Pulse (MCPP) Wave 1 by Rakuten Insight, 34.4 per cent of respondents identified food and groceries as their top concern, compared to 22.1 per cent for fuel and transport.

The study surveyed 1,042 Malaysians between 16 and 18 March 2026, during a period when Brent crude was above US$100 per barrel.

The findings suggest that while Malaysia's fuel subsidy mechanism is cushioning petrol prices, cost pressures are being felt more acutely in daily essentials such as foo...