Jo Ghani: Govt exploring ways to expand biodiesel use
He said the national biodiesel programme, which has been running since 2011, has stalled in terms of adopting a higher blend of palm biodiesel, citing capital expenditure and infrastructure constraints.
"In 2019, Malaysia made B7 mandatory for the industrial sector and B10 for the logistics sector, but we have not moved to B20 since then because it requires significant capital expenditure of RM580 million.
"So we are working on how to implement it, who should bear the subsidy, and we want to see what happens once it becomes B20, how it will affect diesel prices, all of that needs to be examined," he told reporters after launching the B30 Biodiesel pilot project at SD Guthrie Bhd's Golden Hope Academy in Carey Island today.
As for today's event, SD Guthrie Bhd will fully transition to using B30 biodiesel for all its operational machinery and company vehicles that run on diesel at its plantation operations in Carey Island.
B30 biodiesel, a blend of 30 per cent palm-based biodiesel and 70 per cent petroleum-based diesel, is a cleaner fuel and can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 23 per cent per litre compared to conventional diesel.
He said that if biodiesel usage can be widely implemented nationwide, there may be price adjustments for the commodity.
However, Johari declined to elaborate on how it might affect the targeted fuel subsidies, saying it is still too early to disclose details.
"The use of palm biodiesel offers clear environmental benefits. It not only helps reduce GHG emissions compared to traditional diesel, but it is also sulphur-free," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
Johari Calls For Agency Streamlining, Mandatory Registration Of Plastic Recyclers Under MITI
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani today urged a streamlined approach among agencies managing plastic waste and proposed mandatory registration of all plastic recycling companies under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to boost oversight and enforcement. Johari, who is also the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, said the current system involves fragmented jurisdiction across several agencies, including the Department of Environment, Solid Waste Management Department, MITI and the Customs Department. 'To be effective, these four agencies must come together. I've submitted this proposal to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability,' he said during a parliamentary session today. He was responding to Datuk Seri Ibrahim Man (PN–Kubang Kerian), who asked about improving enforcement at plastic recycling plants, some of which are linked to the illegal import of waste. Johari emphasised the importance of thoroughly inspecting all plastic waste containers entering the country and called for stricter monitoring at processing facilities to trace waste back to licensed operators. 'If a container arrives with false declarations, Customs may not catch it immediately. But by monitoring every company processing this waste, we can track which factories receive it and verify their licensing status,' he said. He also raised concerns that only 10 to 20 per cent of imported plastic waste is processed, with the bulk ending up in Malaysian landfills. 'We bear the high cost of landfill management while the exporting countries pay nothing,' he said. To address these challenges, Johari proposed making it mandatory for these companies to register under MITI, ensuring greater transparency through annual license renewals that require audited financial statements detailing sales, exports and market destinations.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Govt eyes streamlined agencies to bolster plastic waste import controls
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling an overhaul of the country's plastic waste import system, including streamlining the roles of four key agencies to enhance coordination, accountability and enforcement. This will involve the Department of Environment (DoE), Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corp (SWCorp), Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and Customs Department. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who helms the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, said the proposed initiative aimed to strengthen enforcement mechanisms in addressing the transboundary movement of plastic waste. "We take the issue of unauthorised and uncontrolled transboundary movement of plastic waste very seriously. "It is often seen as a form of waste colonisation," he told the Dewan Rakyat today. Johari said overlapping jurisdictions among the agencies had hindered enforcement efforts. "We have four different bodies with different mandates. "If we want effective enforcement, all four must sit at the same table; that is my suggestion to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry," he said, responding to questions from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Perikatan Nasional–Kubang Kerian) on the government's position regarding plastic waste imports enforcement. Johari said enforcement should go beyond port inspections and include strict monitoring of recycling facilities. "If we track activities at the processing plants, we can determine whether the waste is being handled by licensed operators or otherwise," he said. Johari said only 10-20 per cent of imported plastic waste is properly processed, while the remaining 80 per cent ends up in landfills. To address this, he said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry would require all plastic recycling companies to register with the ministry and renew their licences annually. He said beginning July 1, new standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been enforced under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order (Amendment) 2002. All plastic waste imports must be approved by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and obtain a Certificate of Approval issued by Sirim. "With the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry's involvement, we want all companies to register with the ministry. "We will scrutinise their financial reports, sales data, export destinations and waste handling practices," he said. Johari said that Malaysia, as a signatory to the Basel Convention, is bound by its provisions on the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, including the 2021 amendment which mandates Prior Informed Consent before any cross-border shipment of plastic waste.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia moves to secure low-risk status under EU deforestation rules
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is rolling out coordinated strategies to secure its status as a low-risk country under the EU's deforestation rules, with efforts spanning forest monitoring, regulatory compliance, and sustainable land management. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said one of the key strategies is coordinating the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) across multiple ministries and agencies. These include forest data management, enforcement and sustainable forest governance, he said. The European Union will by June 30 unveil the much anticipated "country benchmarking system" under the EUDR. It will divide countries into one of three tiers: "low", "standard" or "high" risk, with escalating due diligence and compliance obligations aimed at minimising EU's contributions to global deforestation and forest degradation. It requires seven commodities and their derivatives — cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soyabean and wood — entering the EU market to be deforestation-free, legally produced and covered by a due diligence statement. Johari (BN–Titiwangsa) said that his ministry is also working to ensure that Malaysia's agri-commodity products exported to the EU meet EUDR requirements through the adoption of sustainable certification schemes such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme, the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, and the Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber Guidelines. "Relevant issues that may affect the accuracy of Malaysia's latest forest data submitted for the Global Forest Resources Assessment report to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which is used in the EUDR risk classification process, are also discussed," he said in a written parliamentary reply. Johari also said recommendations would be submitted to the government regarding compliance measures that need to be implemented by the relevant ministries and agencies. "These strategies reflect our proactive efforts to ensure Malaysia is classified as a low-risk country and demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to keeping the country's agri-commodity products competitive in the EU market," he said. He was responding to Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS–Puncak Borneo), who had asked about the country's response to the EUDR framework and the ministry's strategies to ensure Malaysia achieves low-risk status. Last month, the government formed a Special Committee to spearhead the country's response to the EUDR, aiming to ensure continued access to the EU market and strengthen sustainability compliance across key export sectors. Chaired by Johari, the committee involves three key ministries, including the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, as well as the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. Their respective secretaries general will co-chair the working committee. The committee will also act as the central channel for Malaysia's engagement with the European Commission, including the submission of official datasets, policy updates and participation in technical exchanges.
