20/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 20, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Carbon tax approach to achieving green future

Empower women with concrete actions: Wan Azizah KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to empower women must go beyond dialogue and be translated into concrete commitments, such as corporate pledges and government partnerships. Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of the prime minister, urged leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers to work together in building inclusive growth through shared leadership and cross-border collaboration. “It is an honour for me to stand among such remarkable women. Your vision, generosity and dedication to making a difference are not only admirable but also a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together,“ she said in her keynote address at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025 yesterday. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, WEF Asean 2025 organising chairperson Datin Dr Hartini Osman and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Wan Azizah said WEF operated with a global perspective while remaining grounded in its mission as a non-profit movement, which she described as a form of public diplomacy aimed at uplifting women across sectors such as sustainability, governance, technology and trade. “In this context, the movement has been referred to as the ‘Sheconomy’, a powerful acknowledgement of the growing influence of women in shaping economic narratives,“ she said. In addition, she said without proper monitoring and self-awareness, technological advancements could erode meaningful relationships, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, potentially leading to isolation and abuse, underscoring the need to address their social impact. Wan Azizah also highlighted the importance of work-life balance, saying that while society wanted more women to participate in the economy, it must also recognise caregiving as a shared responsibility. “It may not always be a 50-50 split, but it depends on mutual understanding, powers and capabilities of both parents. Unpaid care, home management and emotional support have substantial economic value, but they are not quantifiable. We can’t put a price on that.“ Themed “Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the Asean Sheconomy”, the three-day forum celebrates the transformative role of women in driving global economic growth. – Bernama sector and support Malaysia’s goal of becoming a regional education hub. Education Malaysia Global Services CEO Novie Tajuddin said Malaysia hosts about 137,000 international students, supported in part by the International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) at KLIA terminals 1 and 2. “ISAC is the first initiative of its kind globally, assisting international students before immigration clearance with staff available 24/7,” she said. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: A carbon tax does not have to hurt the average Malaysian, but it could force polluters to clean up their act. That is the message from experts as the country prepares to roll out the levy by 2026. Taylor’s University research cluster lead for innovative management practices Prof Dr Poon Wai Ching said the carbon tax should not be viewed simply as a revenue-raising measure but also as a vital tool in steering Malaysia toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future. “It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by assigning a monetary cost to emitting carbon dioxide,” she said. “For instance, if a company emits 10,000 tonnes of CO Œ and the tax is RM10 per tonne, it would owe RM100,000, putting real financial pressure on businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and energy efficiency.” The policy is expected to initially target high-emission sectors such as iron, steel and energy. Revenue generated could be channelled into green research, innovation and sustainable infrastructure, including climate adaptation projects and circular economy initiatives. Poon added that although Malaysia has long been aligned with global climate frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, recent shifts in international trade dynamics have intensified the need for action. “One key factor is the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will tax imports based on their carbon content,” she said. “If Malaysia doesn’t act, we risk losing competitiveness in global trade.” She also stressed the importance of revenue recycling – using income from the carbon tax to benefit the wider public, such as by supporting low-income communities, subsidising green technologies and strengthening national sustainable development goals. While the carbon tax underscores Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, Poon said the recent rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies helps ease the public into the idea of paying closer to the true environmental cost of energy. “It makes the shift to carbon pricing o Implementation could force polluters to clean up act, while revenue generated could be channelled into research, innovation and infrastructure: Academic Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Siti Ayu called for targeted government incentives, including grants and tax breaks to encourage companies to adopt low-emission fleets such as electric and hybrid trucks. – AMIRUL SHAFIQ/THESUN

Rohana noted that edutourism promotes cultural and language exchange while immersing international students in community-based hospitality experience. She added that the initiative is supported by industry players. The programme, led by the Internationalisation Unit of the TVET Coordination Division under the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department, aims to strengthen the regional hospitality essential to stay competitive, she said. To support the transition, Siti Ayu called for targeted government incentives, including grants and tax breaks for low-emission vehicles, as well as expanded EV charging infrastructure. She also recommended increased investment in freight rail and urban logistics hubs to reduce urban congestion and emissions. “Part of the carbon tax revenue should be used to fund research and innovation in sustainable transport technology,” she added. “This includes adopting digital solutions like GPS-based tracking and AI-driven route optimisation to reduce fuel consumption.” Siti Ayu also underscored the importance of protecting low-income groups and rural populations from the knock-on effects of rising transport costs. She proposed targeted cash transfers and rebates for B40 and M40 households, continued support for public transport passes such as My50 and My100 and the reintroduction of My30 to ensure affordable unlimited travel. In rural areas, she suggested logistics subsidies for essential goods such as food and medicine to prevent price surges. “Reform is unavoidable. Malaysia must do its part in combatting climate change and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is not just a tax. It’s a path to a climate-resilient, productive and fair future,” said Siti Ayu.

smoother over time,” she added. Poon also pointed out that 37 countries have introduced carbon tax frameworks, including Singapore and European nations such as Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. She said Malaysia could draw valuable lessons from these international models by adopting a phased approach, ensuring transparent pricing and protecting vulnerable communities. “If businesses adopt sustainable and circular economy strategies now, they can boost their ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance and tap into regional growth opportunities,” she said. Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Institute of Transport head of legal and quality Dr Siti Ayu Jalil said the transport and logistics sector, which contributed 5% to Malaysia’s GDP in 2024, will face both short-term and long-term challenges under the new policy. “In the short term, the carbon tax and fuel subsidy cuts will raise operational costs in freight, haulage and ride-hailing services. This may lead to higher prices for essential goods, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where transport distances are greater,” she said. Over time, the carbon tax will become a fixed cost for businesses, incentivising them to adopt low-emission fleets such as electric and hybrid trucks and to shift towards rail and maritime transport, she added. Green certifications may also become

Edutourism sector drawing interest of Asean universities LANGKAWI: The edutourism sector is gaining momentum, with growing interest from regional higher education institutions in experiential learning programmes that combine education with tourism. “LTA offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in hospitality, particularly hotel and tourism management, which have been well received among Asean students,” she said at the Bridging Asean Higher Education programme on Wednesday.

Langkawi Tourism Academy (LTA) @ Kolej Komuniti Langkawi director Rohana Sahak said the academy recently hosted 15 students from Thailand’s Songkhla Rajabhat University under the Let’s Go Langkawi Edutourism Geopark Odyssey programme.

She also expressed optimism about the programme’s success and hopes for further collaborations, particularly with institutions in the Asean region.