PETRONAS, ENI, and Euglena to develop biofuel refinery in Johor for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel
MALAYSIA: PETRONAS is set to take another big step in Pengerang, Johor — this time teaming up with Italy's ENI and Japan's Euglena to build a biofuel refinery that will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO).
The news came from Johor State Executive Council Member Lee Ting Han, who shared the update in a translated Facebook post. Lee called PETRONAS 'one of the pride of Malaysia' and noted that Pengerang is already home to the PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project, part of the massive Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), which is one of the largest energy hubs in the region. Driving Johor's green energy push
Lee said that following discussions between state officials and PETRONAS management, it's clear this new venture will bring both economic and environmental gains. The production of SAF and HVO will help Malaysia progress towards a greener future, while helping maintain Pengerang's reputation as a hub for sustainability and innovation.
It's not just about the technology — the project is expected to open up good-quality jobs for locals and give Johor a head start in the fast-growing renewable fuel industry. What it could mean for Singapore
If you're a frequent flyer out of Changi or work in Singapore's aviation sector, this could be closer to home than you think. With Pengerang just across the Causeway, a steady supply of SAF from Johor could help Changi Airport and its airlines meet tough international sustainability targets without paying the high costs of importing from far-off suppliers.
For the everyday traveller, it could mean flying on cleaner, more environmentally friendly planes — without ticket prices soaring from expensive fuel imports.
And it's not just about the skies. Renewable diesel from the project could find its way into Singapore's buses, trucks, and even ferries, cutting carbon emissions without replacing existing engines. In other words, cleaner fuel could start powering your daily commute as well as your holiday flights. See also Mahathir and Turkish apricot are inseparable Backed by the state
Lee stressed that the Johor State Government will give its full support to ensure the refinery is a success.
'This project will not only drive the country's green transformation, but will also create quality job opportunities, bring renewable energy technology to Johor, and strengthen Pengerang's position as a regional energy hub,' he said.
The partnership among PETRONAS, ENI, and Euglena is being seen as another win for Johor's position on the energy map — and a clear sign that Malaysia is serious about cleaner fuel for the future.
Read also: Johor pioneers wastewater recycling for Tier 4 data centres in nation's first document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { const trigger = document.getElementById("ads-trigger"); if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { entries.forEach(entry => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here observer.unobserve(entry.target); // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); observer.observe(trigger); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
JB car wash firms favouring Singapore cars? Here's what operators, motorists say
JOHOR BAHRU: A few weeks ago, Malaysian Arvint Mariappan pulled up his red Perodua Aruz into a car wash less than 2km from his home in Johor Bahru, only to be told by workers that the outlet does not service locally-registered cars. Arvint was told that the enterprise, which is located near KSL City Mall, served only cars with a Singapore licence plate. The mall is a 10-minute drive from the Johor Bahru checkpoint. 'I U-turned and went to find another car wash (outlet) instead,' the 23-year-old told CNA. 'It's frustrating too. Then our (local) cars - regardless of whether they are big or small - they cannot be washed? They only take Singapore-registered cars, maybe because they pay more,' he alleged. Dozens of car wash operators in Johor Bahru, particularly those located within a close radius to the Causeway, are typically popular among Singapore drivers who frequently travel across the border to do groceries and other retail shopping to stretch their dollar. However in recent weeks, local media have reported on a viral social media post by a Malaysian driver who was reportedly shunned at a car wash outlet in Johor Bahru in favour of Singapore cars. Such instances have prompted the Johor Bahru municipal council (MBJB) to step up enforcement against these businesses, with the city's mayor Mohd Haffiz Ahmad pledging that car wash operators that engage in such discriminatory practices will have their licences revoked. MBJB has since also categorised car wash firms as a 'high-risk' business, which Haffiz explained constituted stricter requirements on adhering to environmental pollution regulations and ensuring that their workers comply with immigration laws. Following this, Johor Bahru car wash operators whom CNA spoke to acknowledge that the recent developments would trigger higher scrutiny on their businesses and they are bracing for more stringent checks. These businesses told CNA that they have been and are willing to comply with all regulations set by the authorities. They also denied giving preferential treatment to customers based on their car plates. However, some operators voiced concern that amid the rising costs of doing business, it is their prerogative to maximise profits by prioritising customers who are willing to engage more elaborate services like waxing and polishing during peak hour periods - during evenings and weekends. Manager of RAS car wash Rofik Munshi said that he 'welcomes' more checks by the authorities, stressing that his firm serves every customer equally. 'We do not differentiate customers based on their nationality, and we will serve everybody the same way … But in reality, we, like many other businesses, are facing rising costs. 'So during peak rush hour where there are too many customers, I can understand why some car wash prioritise customers who opt for more expensive services like water wax, polishing, as this would (yield) higher profits for labour,' said the Bangladeshi national who has been working in Malaysia for almost two decades. CNA has reached out to MBJB for comment. PRIORITISING CUSTOMERS WILLING TO PAY MORE Six car wash operators whom CNA spoke to in Johor Bahru stressed that they are open to stricter enforcement because they claim to adhere to regulations stipulated by MBJB. They maintained that there is no price discrepancy between local and foreign cars, that their foreign workers adhere to Malaysia's immigration regulations and that they take special precautions to prevent chemical pollution, in line with the framework stipulated by MBJB. One operator Legend Car Wash, which is located near B Point - a small retail arcade close to the Causeway - told CNA that it supports the government's efforts to clamp down on car wash operators which do not adhere to regulations. Legend Car Wash manager Ramesh D Ponnayah said: 'We serve everyone, regardless of nationality, whichever licence plate and our prices are listed and fixed.' He added that the area was designated for car wash business - with proper drainage system. Its workers are also mostly local Malaysians, and the foreign workers quota is in line with government regulations. Malaysia has a total cap of foreign workers quota at 2.5 million, and firms in the services sector can hire a maximum of 35 per cent of foreign workers as a proportion of its total workforce. 'There are some (car wash outlets) that are unlicensed. They operate in residential areas, and they are open 24 hours so this makes people uncomfortable. They are growing in number so the Johor state government should clamp down on them,' said the Malaysian national. According to MBJB published guidelines for car wash operators, these businesses are not allowed inside commercial buildings, residential landed properties or free standing areas. But a handful of businesses stressed that in order to maximise profit and stretch their labour resources during peak hours, some resort to prioritising customers who are willing to engage in more elaborate services - like polishing and waxing both the interior as well as exterior of the car. A normal wash service at these operators typically costs between RM10 and RM20 (between US$2.37 and US$4.74), but waxing or polishing services cost between RM50 and RM300, depending on how extensive the work is. Rofik of RAS Car Wash told CNA that he also welcomes the pledge from MBJB to clamp down on operators who prioritise Singapore-registered cars over local ones. "I think it's not right if companies operating in Malaysia somehow do not serve Malaysian cars … It's right that these (companies) are punished,' he said. A car wash owner operating near KSL City Mall who declined to be identified told CNA that during evenings and weekends when things get busy, his workers are instructed to persuade customers to engage higher cost services as this would enable the business to maximise profits. 'During the day on weekdays when things are less busy, we serve everybody the same. But when things get busy, it makes business sense to prioritise customers who are willing to engage in more elaborate services,' said the owner. 'We don't differentiate between Malaysian and Singaporean drivers, but the norm is that Singapore cars are more willing to engage more services so it might appear that we are favouring Singaporean drivers.' Teh Kee Sin, adviser of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association of South Johor, told CNA that from a business point of view, it is 'expected' that some small Johor Bahru companies appear to favour Singapore customers. 'Singapore customers have higher disposable income and stronger spending power, especially with the stronger Singapore dollar (against the Malaysia ringgit). If these (car washes) deal with a customer base mostly of Singaporeans, they can earn more per customer and improve (their) cash flow,' said Teh. 'From a business point of view, this is not wrong. Today, costs of doing business are rising, their rents are going up. So if they can find a way to maximise profit and this is by prioritising customers willing to pay more during peak hour, it's understandable,' he added. UNWRITTEN RULE THAT SOME CAR WASH OUTLETS CATER TO SINGAPOREANS: DRIVERS While most car wash operators maintain that there is no differentiation between Singapore or Malaysia customers, drivers whom CNA spoke to acknowledge that there is an unwritten rule that outlets located near the Johor Bahru checkpoint typically cater to Singapore-registered cars. This means that the prices are slightly higher than outlets further away from the city centre and the operators are generally more pushy for drivers to pick more elaborate services in addition to a normal wash. Singaporean Sharizan Mohamed Jalani who drives into Johor Bahru three times a month to do groceries shopping and a car wash told CNA that he patronises these operators because they are conveniently located. 'This place (Legend Car Wash) is close to the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) and I can park my car here (to wash) and do groceries (shopping) nearby,' said Sharizan, a 40-year-old who is self-employed. Sharizan added that he usually picks the most basic service - a normal car wash which costs RM16. A similar service would cost S$16 in Singapore, he added, which is more than three times the price given the current exchange rate. 'Around 80 to 90 per cent of the cars here are Singapore cars … For me, this is business,' said Sharizan. Meanwhile, some Malaysian drivers whom CNA spoke to said that they would rather drive about 15 to 20 minutes out of the city centre to outlets that cater more to locals. 'Most Johoreans know that the car wash outlets near KSL City Mall or the Causeway are mostly for Singaporeans, the service is less thorough and they always push (persuade) drivers to polish (or to) wax,' said 53-year-old Mohd Yunus Kamal. He added: 'I pay about RM1 to RM2 less at my favourite car wash in Masai (20 minutes drive from city centre) but the service is better.' Teh, the adviser with SME Association of South Johor, told CNA that it is incumbent on each consumer to make decisions based on what they can afford. He added that it was best for market forces to determine the customer demographic for car wash businesses rather than for the authorities to intervene with differentiated prices for locals versus foreign-registered cars. 'It's up to the Malaysian consumer to be smart - look at alternatives and make comparisons and take care of your own bottom line,' said Teh. 'If certain operators cater to Singaporean cars, they should not pay the premium and instead patronise outlets with more local customers.'
Independent Singapore
2 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Johor's data centre boom set to drive 18-fold surge in water demand, pushing shift to reclaimed wastewater
Photo: Johor Bahru Causeway / Wikimedia Commons JOHOR BAHRU: Johor's transformation into Malaysia's data centre capital is powering ahead — but it's also going to be thirsty work. By 2030, the state's data centres are expected to gulp down 368 million litres of water a day, compared to just 20 million litres now. That's an 18-fold increase, according to BIMB Research, as reported by The Star . The surge comes as the number of facilities is set to jump from 17 to 52, and those giant server farms need constant cooling, which uses a lot of water. Johor is already pouring money into the problem: RM4.4 billion (S$1.34 billion) for water treatment and distribution upgrades, plus RM2.4 billion for new raw water sources. But The Star reports that even with those investments, the state is still looking at a shortfall of around 570 million litres per day by 2030. BIMB Research didn't mince words: 'Without intervention, the additional load from hyperscale cooling requirements risks exacerbating supply vulnerabilities and crowding out other industrial and domestic users.' See also Immunity split: Why Anwar faces trial while Trump is shielded Why reclaimed wastewater is suddenly in the spotlight With 24.1% of Johor's treated water lost before it even reaches customers (so-called 'non-revenue water'), alternative sources are no longer optional — they're essential. BIMB Research, cited by The Star , says scaling up reclaimed water will mean big spending on water reclamation plants, pipelines, and smart metering systems. One project already making waves is the Indah Water Konsortium–Johor Special Water partnership, which will supply up to 12 million litres per day of recycled water to data centres. And with the new dedicated data centre tariff band (RM5.33 per cubic metre in Johor), BIMB Research says there's now a clear way to monetise reclaimed water supply from day one. Read related: Malaysia's first large-scale data centre water reclamation plant opens in Johor Why Singapore should care This isn't just Johor's headache. Singapore gets part of its water from Johor under long-standing agreements — so if industrial demand in Johor starts biting into supply, it could affect cross-border water planning. For Singapore, there's another angle: many tech giants and hyperscale operators that couldn't expand here because of land and power constraints are setting up shop just across the Causeway. These facilities will need reliable water to keep running, and if Johor struggles, it could hurt the regional digital economy both countries depend on. Simply put: if Johor's water runs low, it's not just taps that could feel the pinch — it's the entire tech ecosystem linking Singapore and Malaysia. Read also: Johor secures RM164 billion in data centre projects for Q2, aims to lead Malaysia's AI and digital economy () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNA
8 hours ago
- CNA
Malaysia growth near forecast in second quarter, but central bank flags tariff uncertainty
KUALA LUMPUR :Malaysian economic growth came in close to expectations in the second quarter, official data showed on Friday, though the central bank said the outlook was clouded by uncertainty arising from U.S. tariffs. Gross domestic product grew 4.4 per cent in the April-to-June period from a year earlier, data from Bank Negara Malaysia and the Statistics Department showed, matching the pace of the first quarter. That was slightly below a Reuters poll forecast of 4.5 per cent, which was also the government's advance estimate. The economy grew 2.1 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted basis, faster than 0.7 per cent growth in the previous three months, the data showed. BNM said growth was driven by robust household spending and positive labour market conditions, but forecasting was challenging amid the uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. "Growth could move in different directions... we are operating in a different environment where changes happen very quickly," BNM Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour told a press conference. A 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States took effect earlier this month, although some goods remain exempt pending a review of U.S. laws. Of particular concern to Malaysia is President Trump's flagging of a 100 per cent tariff on semiconductor imports from companies that do not have a U.S. manufacturing footprint or plans to establish one. Malaysia, a major player in the global semiconductor supply chain, has warned that tariffs on its chip exports to the United States would have a significant impact on its economy. Total export growth is expected to be moderate in the second half of 2025, though there would be support from demand for electrical and electronic goods and higher tourism, Abdul Rasheed said, adding that visitor arrivals had recovered to pre-pandemic conditions. Last month, the central bank lowered its growth forecast for 2025 to a range of 4 per cent to 4.8 per cent from 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent, which Abdul Rasheed said was "broad enough" to cover different outcomes arising from the U.S. tariffs. The bank also cut interest rates for the first time in five years in July to "pre-emptively preserve" the export-oriented economy's growth. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia, said the rate cut and a narrower fiscal deficit would give authorities some capacity to counter expected slower growth in the second half of the year. He said the fiscal deficit was 4.2 per cent of GDP in the first half, down from 5.5 per cent of GDP in the same period in 2024.
