17/10/2025

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

FRIDAY | OCT 17, 2025

Huge potential for Bursa to lead regional carbon trading

Miti monitoring possible influx of cheap goods in wake of US tariff hike KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) is closely monitoring the possible influx of cheap goods into Malaysia following the US decision to increase import tariffs on several products, including furniture, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the move by the United States to impose higher tariffs could prompt producing countries to redirect their exports to other markets, including Malaysia. “When the US market becomes less attractive due to high tariffs, producers from the affected countries may look for alternative markets, including in the Asean region and Malaysia, to continue their production activities and avoid surplus stock. “This trade diversion could lead to an influx of lower-priced goods into the Malaysian market, thereby pressuring market prices and affecting the competitiveness of local producers,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He added that Miti plays an important role in protecting local industries from unfair trade practices through the implementation of trade remedy measures, such as countervailing and anti-dumping duties. Tengku Zafrul was responding to a question from Lim Guan Eng (Bagan–PH), who sought clarification on protection measures for the semiconductor, furniture, and other industries affected by US tariffs, as well as the risks of dumping and its impact on trade value and the gross domestic product growth rate. “When tariffs are raised, producers will look for alternative markets to offload their surplus. Malaysia has the potential to become one of those destinations,”he noted. Tengku Zafrul said the furniture, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor sectors are expected to be among the most affected, as the United States is a major export market for these industries. “The increase in US tariffs directly impacts Malaysia’s exports in these sectors. If dumping occurs, local producers will face price pressures and a loss of competitiveness.” Miti will take appropriate action if there is evidence of goods entering the country at unreasonable prices or involving unfair trade practices. – Bernama

three key priorities – adaptation, mitigation and resilience. “Through IGEM, we move from policy to opportunity, turning discussions into partnerships, and partnerships into projects. IGEM showcases technologies that will shape the next generation of industries. From clean energy and sustainable mobility to waste reduction, carbon management, and nature-based solutions,” he said. He also said the government is finalising the National Carbon Market Policy, which defines Malaysia’s approach to carbon trading and guides the use of carbon pricing to drive investment, innovation, and low-carbon growth. The policy will introduce a phased framework for both compliance and voluntary carbon markets, supported by robust measurement, reporting, and verification systems. It will also promote carbon credit projects in forestry, renewable energy, and nature based solutions, creating new income opportunities for state governments, local communities, and private investors, Johari said. “Alongside this, the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Bill, passed earlier this year, positions Malaysia as a regional hub for carbon management – a sector that could unlock up to US$250 billion in economic value over the next three decades. “Malaysia has finalised its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. This ambitious yet practical target underscores Malaysia’s firm commit ment to accelerating the low-carbon transition. “NDC 3.0 was developed through consultations with state governments, industries, and civil society groups. Once approved by the Cabinet, Malaysia will submit NDC 3.0 to the UNFCCC Secretariat,” Johari said. These initiatives show that Malaysia’s green transition is structured, strategic, and sustained. “It is a long-term national mission built on strong policy, clear law, and enduring economic opportunity,” Johari said.

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o Local businesses can leverage exchange as trusted marketplace for such transactions, says Johari

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia can position itself as a regional leader in carbon trading if the country can strengthen reforest ation and green initiatives. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said domestic businesses that wish to trade carbon credits or carbon allowances could leverage Bursa Malaysia as a trusted marketplace, similar to the trading of commodities such as palm oil. “This is not merely an environ mental strategy; it’s an economic one – aligning sustainability with profitability, and placing Malaysia at the forefront of the green economy,” he told reporters at the launch of the International Green tech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2025 (IGEM 2025) yesterday.

“Take reforestation, for instance. A RM100 million reforestation project can generate carbon credits – tradeable assets that represent a verified reduction in carbon emissions. “These credits can be exchanged for monetary value. Currently, Malaysia’s carbon credit price is about US$3 (RM12.68) per tonne, yet the International Monetary Fund estimates the fair global price between US$50 and US$150 per tonne. This highlights a tre mendous growth opportunity,” said Johari, who is also the acting Natural Resources and Environ mental Sustainability Minister.

Touching on climate change in Asean, Johari said all countries in the region must play their part in addressing this crisis. For Asean, he added, this means demonstrating both commitment and leadership – standing together to pursue a sustainable, low-carbon future for the region and beyond. Johari said, “As Chair of Asean in 2025, Malaysia has placed sustain ability and climate action at the heart of our regional agenda as we continue to seek to be drivers of change. “Through the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025, Malaysia has strengthened Asean’s climate discourse, aligning our region around

JoharI (front, right) visiting a booth after officiating the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2025 and the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025 yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

M’sia must build credibility, scalability to be Asean green energy investment hub: UEM Lestra KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to focus on building credibility, scala bility, and reliability in order to become Asean’s hub for green energy investment, said UEM Lestra Bhd. That being said, Malaysia’s ad vantage lies in the ability to connect three ecological pillars, he added. “One would be bankable infra us to build one. And last but not least would be policy certainty, where a stable framework that gives investors confidence to commit billions over decades, not just years, is very crucial,” he said. “If we get this right, I think Malaysia can lead the region not only in green power generation, but also in green credibility,” he added. Another panellist, Maybank companies can issue bonds for green fuel projects, but most other countries can only depend on loans from banks to finance the projects.

structure, grid-ready projects like our National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) project down in Johor that will set new standards in technical readiness and long-term reliability. “Second would be a transparent market, where we collaborate with Bursa Malaysia exchange in order for

“We also have a very vibrant market, which is prepared to offer long-dated fixed rate financing for bankable projects, and the key word here is ‘bankable’. “I think (we are) very fortunate. We have seen most of the projects in Malaysia being successfully financed,“ Lau said. – Bernama

Its head of business development Noor Hafifi Jalal said the company now focuses on the value-added renewable energy (RE) market, where investors, off-takers, and financiers can trust that the RE projects are bankable, traceable, and future-ready.

Securities regional head for project finance investment banking and advisory Lau Mun Loong, said the country is extremely well suited for financing green energy projects. He said Malaysia’s bond market is deep and well-developed, where

He was speaking as a panellist in a plenary session on“Positioning Malaysia as Asean’s Hub for Green Investment and Decarbonisation” on the second day of the three-day Asean Energy Business Forum 2025 here yesterday.