KUALA LUMPUR – For some, the war in the Middle East may feel far away. But for Mr Latiff Abu Hassan, a community leader and seed supplier, the conflict has already landed in his garden.

​ Over the past few weeks, the 55-year-old has been spending mornings scouring fertiliser shops across the Klang Valley, comparing prices that shift with the volatility of crude oil. His goal is to keep his housing estate’s five community plots running despite rising costs.