Green energy needs regional cooperation: Madius
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 Text Size: Madius (centre) speaking on CHINA-ASEAN energy cooperation at the 2025 RCEP Member States Cooperation Dialogue. Kuala Lumpur: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (Sabah Electricity) Chairman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has called for deeper Asean–China energy cooperation to help build a green and interconnected energy future. He made the call during the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Industry Cooperation Conference held recently, at the invitation of Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) President Datuk Frankie Liew and Tan Siew Ling, Vice President and Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Committee.
Advertisement As a keynote speaker and forum panellist, Madius highlighted that Asean is at a critical juncture in its energy transition and underscored the importance of striking a balance between reliability, affordability and sustainability in power supply. He said China, as a global leader in energy technology and industrial development, could play a pivotal role in supporting Asean's green transition through technology sharing, investment and technical expertise. 'To realise these goals, regional collaboration is vital. Working closely with global leaders such as China, and engaging in the exchange of technology, investments and knowledge, will accelerate our progress,' he said. Madius cited Malaysia's proactive development in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and its close cooperation with other Asean nations as a reflection of the country's strong commitment to a sustainable and integrated regional energy landscape. He said Malaysia, through strategic partnerships, technological innovation and policy leadership, is playing a key role in driving the region's energy transition. 'China's advancements in photovoltaic module manufacturing are set to play a crucial role in the global shift towards renewable energy,' he added. Madius also commended the organisers of the conference and congratulated them on the establishment of the China–Asean Photovoltaic Industry Cooperation Committee and the China–Asean New Energy Vehicle Industry Cooperation Committee. He expressed hope that these new mechanisms would foster deeper collaboration in key green sectors, particularly photovoltaics and new energy vehicles, across the region. During the conference, Madius also introduced Sabah Electricity to international delegates. He explained that the company is 83 per cent owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), 17 per cent by the Sabah State Government, with the Ministry of Finance Malaysia holding a one per cent 'golden share.' He said Sabah, located in East Malaysia, faces unique challenges in power grid infrastructure due to its geographical landscape, but holds immense potential in advancing the green energy agenda. 'As the main utility provider for Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan, Sabah Electricity currently serves over 700,000 customers. Beyond supplying power, the company is committed to promoting energy diversification and enhancing efficiency to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy structure, contributing to Malaysia's national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,' he said, wishing the conference every success and hoping for closer collaboration among all parties to usher in a new era of regional energy cooperation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Ghana hosts forum on China-Africa cooperation in EV manufacturing
ACCRA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China-Africa Automotive Development Forum was held Tuesday in Ghana to discuss opportunities for China-Africa cooperation in electric vehicle (EV) production. The forum, co-hosted by the Confucius Institute of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Hubei University of Automotive Technology, took place in Kumasi, the West African country's second-largest city. Themed "Intelligent Manufacturing of Lightweight EVs," the forum brought together experts, policymakers, investors, and engineers from China and African countries to discuss the necessity and feasibility of EV development in Africa's automotive industry in the future. Li Yang, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, said Africa always remains a priority in China's overall diplomatic strategy, as it is an emerging continent that drives global economic growth. "Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China's commitment to Africa remains unwavering, and China's dedication to jointly advancing industrialization with Ghana remains persistent," Li said. Seth Mahu, director in charge of renewable energy at the Ghanaian Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, said in a statement that Ghana has laid the groundwork for the manufacture of EVs with policy support. "Partnership with China through technology transfer, joint ventures, and training can accelerate our progress exponentially. This forum must be a bridge between Ghana and China to share ideas on implementation, ambition, and achievement," Mahu added.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
1st Meeting Of China-US Economic, Trade Consultation Mechanism Opens In London, Attracting Global Attention
WORLD U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese vice premier He Lifeng pose for a photo with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and China's International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang, in London, Britain June 9, 2025. United States Treasury/Handout via REUTERS LONDON, June 10 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism opened here on Monday, attracting global attention. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the meeting with US representatives, Xinhua news agency reported. Business leaders welcomed the meeting, expecting win-win outcomes. "Only through mutual respect can we achieve win-win cooperation," said Yang Ming, CEO of Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology company. Attend the ongoing London Tech Week events, Yang said she wished to see normalised economic and trade relations restored between the two nations, calling on both governments to strengthen collaboration in AI and join forces to create new frontiers in global innovation. OBE Chief Executive Officer at London & Partners Laura Citron told Xinhua that stable trade relationships between the biggest economies in the world would always be a good thing for the global economy, adding that London as a city is a very outward-facing trading economy. "We're very keen to see strong and predictable trade relationships between the U.S. and China," she said. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Feature: Chinese-built plant helps upgrade cocoa industry in Cote d'Ivoire
ABIDJAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- As the rainy season brings a welcome hint of cool relief to Cote d'Ivoire, a hive of activity is unfolding at the PK24 Industrial Park on the northwestern outskirts of Abidjan, the country's economic capital, marked by long queues of cocoa-laden trucks and the bustling movement of workers. Amid the park stands a sleek silver-gray structure -- a newly built cocoa processing complex, where the rich aroma of roasted beans wafts through the air. Inside, Chinese engineers work with their Ivorian counterparts, fine-tuning conveyor systems in preparation for the factory's full-scale operation. Constructed by China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd., the complex is scheduled for official handover this month. As Cote d'Ivoire's first state-owned modern cocoa processing facility, it marks a major milestone in the country's drive to upgrade its cocoa industry and move higher up the global value chain. "We're finally processing cocoa on our own land," said Ettien Kouakou Camille, his face glowing with pride. At 32, Camille cultivates more than 10 hectares of cocoa farmland and has spent more than a decade growing the Forastero variety. With the new facility in place, he hopes the premium beans from his hometown can now be transformed into high-value products. "In the past, cocoa was exported without being processed. Now, Chinese companies are helping us change that," Camille said, emphasizing the importance of this project born from China-Cote d'Ivoire cooperation. Covering about 21 hectares, the complex is designed to process 50,000 tonnes of cocoa annually, with a storage capacity of 140,000 tonnes. Tang Chong, project manager of the processing plant, said the facility was built to Chinese technological and quality standards and will serve as a key training base for local cocoa industry professionals upon completion. In the cocoa pre-treatment workshop, 38-year-old operator N'guessan Kouassi wiped the sweat from his brow while monitoring equipment data with his team. "This is the largest state-owned cocoa processing plant in the country. It's giving more young people access to employment and a chance to contribute to society," he said, adding that he hopes more Chinese companies will invest in Cote d'Ivoire to expand opportunities for both agricultural growth and youth employment. For Ogbonin Emmanuel, a translator on the project with a background in construction, the experience has been eye-opening. "I've witnessed the whole transformation process from cocoa to chocolate. Africa needs this kind of advanced production capacity," he said. In the electrical installation section, technician Joel Niamien led his team through final adjustments. "There were some language barriers in the beginning, but now we work in close coordination," he said. "The equipment is more modern, and the processes are more streamlined." "China's agricultural development experience is a vital reference for African countries," said Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, minister of state and minister of agriculture and rural development of the country, at the recently concluded seventh edition of the International Exhibition of Agriculture and Animal Resources. He noted that Cote d'Ivoire is currently at a key stage of agricultural modernization. "Chinese companies are not just building factories -- they are bringing integrated solutions to help us upgrade our agricultural value chains," Adjoumani said. As the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa, Cote d'Ivoire accounts for roughly 40 percent of global supply. In 2024, national cocoa output reached around 2 million tonnes, of which over 1.4 million tonnes were exported as raw beans. Yet only about 30 percent of the crop is currently processed domestically. Currently, the country hosts around 15 large-scale cocoa processing plants, most of them foreign-owned. Cote d'Ivoire is now accelerating its efforts to achieve 100 percent local processing by 2030. As part of the push, the government is planning reforms to the cocoa purchasing system, including the introduction of traceable farmer ID cards to better protect the rights of cocoa growers. Back at the PK24 Industrial Park, Chinese and Ivorian technicians were refining the production systems as the facility nears full operational readiness. The facility, a symbol of bilateral cooperation, is poised to help shift Cote d'Ivoire's role from a raw cocoa exporter to a significant player in cocoa processing. At the Port of Abidjan, shipping containers filled with cocoa products stand neatly arranged, ready for export. Gazing out over the sea, Camille said with quiet determination, "Next, we want the world to fall in love with chocolate made in Cote d'Ivoire."
