05/11/2025

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WEDNESDAY | NOV 5, 2025

Tackling ‘energy trilemma’ key to successful transition

RM7.88b green investments generated in 2024: Johari KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM7.88 billion in green investments were generated in 2024 through various initiatives imple mented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). These initiatives include the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA), the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) 4.0, and the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM). Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also the acting NRES minister, said the initiatives also contributed to the creation of more than 2,000 green jobs in 2024, while cumulatively, the sector has created nearly 34,000 jobs to date. The RM7.88 billion includes contri butions from GITA, GTFS 4.0 and IGEM. “This contribution includes investment commitments secured through the IGEM series since 2020, which has successfully generated over RM10 billion in potential green investments to date,“ he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Johari was responding to a supple mentary question from Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-Kemaman), who asked about achievements related to green investment targets, the number of green job opportunities under the NRES Strategic Plan 2024–2030, and the main challenges in meeting these goals. He said the achievement was in line with the targets outlined in the strategic plan, which emphasises green economic development, renewable energy, and the transition towards a low-carbon industry. Responding to Ahmad Samsuri’s addi tional question on interministerial colla boration to ensure the reported achieve ments are not merely based on impressive figures, Johari acknowledged that several major challenges remain. He said the challenges include limited access to financing for SMEs and a shortage of skilled labour in the local green technology sector. “I admit that one of our concerns is access to financing. The government can fund small-scale projects, but for large scale initiatives, they must demonstrate economic value.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s next big leap in energy transition must begin with a firm grasp of the “energy trilemma”, which defines the balancing act involving three equally critical priorities. Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the three priorities are energy security – ensuring a reliable and sufficient supply to power the nation; energy affordability – keeping costs fair and equitable for households and industries; and energy sustainability – ensuring that Malaysia’s pursuit of growth does not compromise the nation’s environmental future. He said this balance is central to Malaysia’s energy transition strategy, adding that how well the country maintains it will define the strength and staying power of the nation’s next leap forward. “Malaysia stands at a critical juncture in its development. The coming decade will determine how effectively we transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent system towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and technologically advanced energy ecosystem. “Through the National Energy Transition Roadmap, or NETR, the government has charted a decisive course to achieve 70% renewable energy in our installed capacity by 2050. “This is not merely a numeric goal but a transformation blueprint that harmonises three guiding principles – energy security, affordability, and sustainability – which together form the foundation of our energy trilemma,” he told delegates at the CGS International Securities Malaysia ESG and Sustainability Conference 2025 yesterday. He said Malaysia has introduced a series of key reforms that combine policy innovation with market confidence. o Deputy minister says next major step is a balancing act involving power security, affordability and sustainability Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

From left: CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Azizah Mohd Yatim, Akmal Nasrullah and CGS International Securities Singapore group head of sustainability Kevin Lee.

5+ tender has added 2,000 megawatts of new solar capacity, one of the largest expansions in Malaysia’s history. Meanwhile, the Energy Exchange Malaysia, or Enegem, established a transparent and market driven platform for renewable energy trading. “These initiatives, collectively, reflect Malaysia’s determination to build an energy ecosystem that is not only clean but also investment-ready and globally competitive. Our transition is not about replacing one fuel with another, but about constructing a system that is diversified, reliable, and resilient against future shocks. “Malaysia’s approach is to balance various technologies. From solar and hydropower to waste-to-energy facilities, green hydrogen, and advanced energy storage systems, while maintaining natural gas as a stabilising fuel during this transition phase,” Akmal Nasrullah said. Further, he noted that beyond these initiatives, the government has also recognised the need to explore nuclear energy as part of the country’s long-term strategy. “Nuclear power, when developed responsibly and transparently, offers a low-carbon baseload option capable of complementing renewable energy sources and ensuring grid stability. The government has approved a comprehensive feasibility study on nuclear energy to assess Malaysia’s technical readiness, regulatory capacity, and societal acceptance.

pragmatism, scientific integrity, and long-term foresight,” Akmal Nasrullah said. A successful transition requires more than technology. It demands capital, skilful human capital and market confidence, he added. “Financing the energy transition is a national imperative that will require the mobilisation of billions of ringgit over the next few decades. The collaboration between the public and private sectors must therefore deepen, with the government providing the policy certainty and enabling frameworks, while the private sector drives innovation, project delivery and green financing,” he said. Regionally, Akmal Nasrullah noted that Malaysia, through its Asean chairmanship in 2025, is championing the Enhanced Asean Power Grid Memorandum of Understanding, which will allow member states to advance cross-border power trade and accelerate renewable energy integration across the region. He said the Asean Power Grid embodies a collective vision of energy interconnectivity, security and inclusivity. The third annual ESG and Sustainability Conference 2025, themed “Malaysia’s Next Step”, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to discuss action plans to accelerate Malaysia’s transition towards a net-zero economy by 2050.

“When there is economic value, local banks or banks capable of providing substantial financing will be involved. Therefore, what we are facing today is a situation where SMEs are unable to access this green financing.” – Bernama IRB’s e-invoice system records 106,000 users, RM675m in transactions to date Initiatives such as the Corporate Green Power Programme and subsequently the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme now enable industries to source clean electricity directly. At the same time, the Large-Scale Solar Petra “We recognise that nuclear is not an immediate solution, but rather a strategic preparation for the next generation, a signal that Malaysia’s energy future will be guided by The event also saw the official launch of the “Thematic Report on Nuclear for Malaysia’s Energy Transition”, jointly developed by CGS International Securities Singapore Pte Ltd and Panmure Liberum, a leading UK-based independent investment bank.

PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRB) has recorded more than 106,000 registered tax payers and transactions exceeding RM675 million under its e-invoice system to date, marking another milestone in the nation’s digital transformation. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the initiative represents a

significant step towards compre hensive digitalisation, enhancing efficiency while strengthening trans parency and integrity in Malaysia’s tax administration. “The implementation of the e Invoice system is a major leap in digitalisation. It not only modernises tax processes but also builds public confidence in the efficiency and

transparency of national revenue management,” she said in a state ment yesterday. Earlier, Lim officiated the IRB 2025 Innovation and Integrity Day celebration at Menara Hasil, in Cyberjaya. She expressed her appreciation to all IRB personnel for their commit ment and dedication in ensuring

that the national tax system con tinues to operate efficiently and with integrity. Lim also highlighted the up coming implementation of the Self Assessment System for stamp duty, scheduled to take effect on Jan 1, 2026, as further evidence of IRB’s progressive innovation. Under the new system, stamp

duty payers will be entrusted to assess the applicable rate and amount themselves, streamlining procedures and saving customers’ time. She emphasised that innovation and integrity must progress hand in hand to shape a high-per forming and trusted public service. – Bernama