GEORGE TOWN, March 10 -- The Penang Port Commission (PPC) has activated an emergency monitoring mechanism to safeguard supply chain resilience following conflicts in the Middle East.

PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the conflicts in Middle East could affect global shipping and supply chains so PPC has to monitor the potential impact on cargo movements through Penang Port.

He said the military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran has increased concerns over maritime safety and energy supply security.

"The Middle East remains a critical region for global shipping, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes," he said in a statement issued today.

He said any esca...