KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia and Indonesia will intensify their diplomatic efforts to help de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Dec. 2, 2022. (File Photo: Xinhua)

Anwar, who just concluded a special working visit to Indonesia to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, said in a statement that both countries also stressed the need to strengthen principled regional cohesion to preserve peace, ensure stability, and enhance economic resilience for the well-being of the people.

During the meeting, both leaders further emphasized the importance of ensuring the continuity of global supply chains and strategic trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, remain unaffected.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted energy supplies across the Southeast Asian region, driving up fuel prices and disrupting the supply and manufacture of critical commodities.