05/06/2026

FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2026

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‘Shift to renewable energy needs proper management’

Climate change disrupting livelihoods PETALING JAYA: Climate change is no longer a distant threat for Malaysian farmers and fishermen, but is already disrupting livelihoods, endangering lives and affecting food security. National University of Singapore Southeast Asian Studies Department lecturer Dr Serina Rahman said rural communities across Southeast Asia are bearing the brunt of rapidly changing climate. “Farmers and fishermen are the people on the frontlines of climate change.” She said these lower-income groups form the backbone of regional food production and are especially vulnerable to economic shocks. Serina pointed out that they are increasingly grappling with erratic weather patterns that are making their traditional livelihoods harder to sustain. She said increasingly frequent and unpredictable extreme weather, oscillating between droughts and floods, are disrupting agricultural cycles. “Crop seasonality is becoming harder to predict, affecting seed production and planting schedules. “In some cases, newly planted seedlings or crops ready for harvest are destroyed by sudden weather events, leaving farmers with significant losses.” She said monsoon seasons have become increasingly erratic while storms are growing more intense and dangerous, adding that weather that once remained stable for weeks could now shift several times in a single day. “Rains and winds do not follow patterns that fishermen have observed for generations.” Serina said sudden storms have caused fishing boats to capsize, while both fishermen and farmers are increasingly exposed to unpredictable lightning strikes. She said prolonged severe weather could prevent fishermen from going out to sea, affecting their livelihood. For farmers, a failed harvest could be financially devastating. She added that these disruptions threaten food supply chains, with ripple effects across processing industries and urban populations dependent on rural producers. Serina said as climate-related disasters become more frequent, authorities have strengthened emergency response capabilities. She stressed that preparedness alone could not address risks compounded by poor planning and development decisions. She questioned why homes continue to be built in flood-prone and hazardous areas, including former retention pond sites, riverbanks and zones beneath dams. “No matter how prepared you are, if your infrastructure is built in a danger zone, the risks remain.” She said some disasters are worsened by human activity, including hillside clearing for logging and development projects that heighten the risk of landslides and debris flows during heavy rainfall. “How much are we adding anthropogenic problems to an issue that is already beyond our control?” She pointed out that many local communities are quietly adapting, with farmers adjusting planting schedules and fishermen changing fishing times and locations in response to changing sea conditions and fish movements. “These are not glamorous solutions. People are simply doing what they need to do to survive.” She said public discourse on climate change often centres on ambitious targets and headline initiatives, overlooking the immediate realities faced by affected communities. Serina also rejected claims that climate change is merely part of the Earth’s natural cycle. “Yes, climate change has occurred throughout Earth’s history but not at this pace.” She added that rising temperatures, extreme heat and sudden heavy storms are likely to become increasingly common in the years ahead. – by KIRTINEE RAMESH

be a diversified energy mix, combining smaller-scale solutions such as micro hydropower systems, rooftop solar installations and backup generators in remote areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. She added that instead of large solar farms requiring forest clearance, it would be better to have decentralised systems where solar panels are installed on homes, public buildings and infrastructure, and feed directly into local grids. She also cited emerging international models where solar panels are installed above farmland or integrated into car parks, maximising land use while allowing agricultural activity to continue. “Our biggest energy consumers are data centres, especially in places like Johor. There should be stronger requirements for them to adopt renewable energy sources like solar.” Serina stressed that deforestation and environmental degradation remain closely tied to governance and political decision-making rather than a lack of awareness. She said overlapping state and federal laws could create loopholes that allow environmental harm despite existing protections. “For environmental protection laws to work, there must be political will from the very top.” She said stronger enforcement and national commitment are essential for long-term environmental protection. “There are many ground-up efforts but people also need to speak up when they see hillsides being cleared or forests being damaged.”

o Green alternatives like large hydropower dams may cause ecological harm and displace communities, says academic

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

practicality of renewable energy systems if they are not properly integrated into national grids, stressing that generation alone is insufficient without efficient distribution. “In tropical countries like Malaysia, where sunlight and rainfall are abundant, solar energy presents strong potential but also comes with its own environmental trade-offs, particularly in battery production, material sourcing and end-of-life disposal of solar panels. “There is more work being done to make solar and wind materials longer-lasting and recyclable. So, that may improve in time.” She also said land use remains one of the most pressing challenges in the transition to renewable energy. “Large-scale solar farms and energy infrastructure often require significant land acquisition, raising concerns about deforestation, land sales and the displacement of rural communities. “Are we depriving people of their land or clearing forests to build renewable energy projects?” She said Malaysia’s geographical conditions also limit the viability of certain technologies, including large wind turbines, which require consistent wind patterns found only in very limited areas. Serina said a more effective strategy would

PETALING JAYA: T he rapid transition to renewable energy in Southeast Asia may lead to new environmental and social issues if not properly managed and regulated, as “green” alternatives like large hydropower dams could cause substantial ecological harm and displace communities. National University of Singapore Southeast Asian Studies Department lecturer Dr Serina Rahman said while renewable energy is widely being promoted as a cornerstone of climate response, the region’s energy transition is often narrowly framed, overlooking its wider environmental and social costs. She pointed out that a lot of effort is being made for the shift to renewable energy, mainly through hydropower. “Big hydropower dams can cause more environmental damage in their construction than the renewable energy benefits they eventually provide.” She said impacts such as the displacement of local and indigenous communities, destruction of hills and waterways, loss of sacred sites and long-term disruption of local identities are frequently excluded from sustainability assessments. Serina questioned the reliability and Anwar, who is also Finance minister, said the country’s strategic location and competitive investment environment have also enabled Malaysia to emerge as a key destination in the global digital infrastructure race. “We continue to attract major data centre investments, particularly in Johor and Sarawak. “This raises the stakes. But in this regard, I have full confidence in TNB’s ability to guide our energy transition and to deliver on the promises of AI and energy,” he said at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 yesterday. Anwar also gave an assurance that energy transition would be just, secure and AI-driven in the interest of the nation. “That is, and must continue to be, the measure of this work.” He commended TNB for again convening the conference to foster discussions, deliberations and critical dialogue on the energy transition agenda. The conference, being held from June 3 to 5, brings together global stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the national energy transition agenda and serve as a platform for policymakers, technology experts, investors, academics and industry stakeholders from more than 60 countries, with 4,000 delegates participating. – Bernama

TNB capable of driving national energy transition efforts: PM KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence in the ability of national power company Tenaga Nasional Bhd to lead energy transition efforts as well as support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure investments in the country.

Anwar officiating at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE