“Sabah’s tourism sector depends heavily on connectivity and fuel is central to transport. Inevitably, our operators are feeling the strain,” he said at the state-level Aidilfitri open house in Kota Kinabalu today.

“The effects of the Middle East crisis are already becoming evident, with operators of boats, buses and other transport services having little choice but to adjust their prices in line with government-set fuel rates,” the Borneo Post quoted him as saying.

He hoped the situation would not worsen into a crisis similar to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jafry said the state government was awaiting the outcome of a meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and heads of state governments.

On possible state-level intervention, he said his ministry was prepared to share all relevant information to support any intervention measures.