Latest news with #ASEANSummit
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Has PMX's diplomatic miscalculations trigger Donald Trump's tariff hike?
IT wasn't supposed to go up. After months of diplomatic back-and-forth, the Madani government had hoped the US would roll back its steep 24% tariff on Malaysian exports that was first announced in April. Instead, Washington did the opposite by raising the tariff to 25%. For a country that lives and breathes exports – from semiconductors to palm oil – that extra blow is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It could mean billions in losses, potential layoffs and vanishing investor confidence. And this time, it feels personal. The tariff hike reads less like a routine trade measure but more like a geopolitical message: Malaysia is being punished. So what triggered this tariff spanking? Could it be that in Washington's eyes, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim misread the room? Cosying up to the wrong crowd Malaysia, once proud of its non-aligned posture, now looks like it's picking sides. And not the side the US is on. Anwar has been eager to position Malaysia within the BRICS orbit – a bloc made up of America's chief adversaries: China, Russia, Iran and others. He has visited Russia not once but twice. He even invited Russian president Vladimir Putin to the ASEAN Summit despite the international arrest warrant hanging over the Russian leader for war crimes in Ukraine. Anwar has also been warming up to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bilateral visits, public praise and talk of deeper integration have raised eyebrows in Washington. Add to that of Anwar's vocal push for de-dollarisation and his hardline pro-Palestine stance, one gets a foreign policy that looks increasingly anti-West. Whether Anwar sees it that way or not does not matter. Trump's team possibly does. Malaysia isn't 'neutral' anymore We used to walk a careful line. As a small nation and founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and part of the Third World Network, Malaysia knew how to stay friendly with everyone without provoking anyone. Now, under Anwar, we're shifting into risky territory. And the US has taken notice. The tariff hike is possibly a clear sign that Washington is re-calibrating its view of Malaysia – from trusted partner to potential strategic irritant. That's why countries like Vietnam were spared but Malaysia wasn't. And here's the kicker: regional leaders like Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto, Singapore's Lawrence Wong, the Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos Jr and even suspemded Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra have all had phone calls with Donald Trump. Anwar hasn't even managed a single call. High cost of power politics indulgence This isn't about ideology. It's about consequences. Every time Anwar plays geopolitical chess, it's everyday Malaysians who absorb the fallout. The fact is, exporters get squeezed by tariffs, factory workers risk retrenchment, prices rise as importers scramble to stay competitive and foreign investors hold back, unsure where we stand. This is the quiet damage of a foreign policy that wants to punch above its weight. At the end of the day, Malaysians are left to become pawns and collateral. Anwar may be trying to carve a reputation as a global leader coming in with guns blazing. But the bill is arriving at our doorstep. Even at the 24% tariff rate level, it's ordinary Malaysians who will be hit hard, let alone 25% or more. Because when a small country tries to act like a big power, it needs to remember one thing: the schoolyard bully punches back. And now, with that tariff gut-punch, the bully has just getting warmed up with everyday Malaysians bracing themselves to getting hit for the slightest of mis-step. – July 14, 2025 Main image credit: Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
3D forest mapping system can enhance Sarawak's carbon trading capacity
A cutting-edge three-dimensional (3D) forest mapping system developed by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) could strengthen the state's carbon trading capacity by identifying forest segments with high carbon sequestration potential. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (picture) said he was impressed by the system, which provides essential data on a forest's capacity to absorb carbon—an important element in carbon trading. 'If we have the data, as I saw in the 3D (forest mapping system), we can determine the aggregate absorption capacity of our forests. Because the price of carbon is determined by the open market, we now have data that could support the imposition of a levy or carbon tax based on our forests' carbon absorption capacity,' he said. Speaking at the Sarawak-level International Day of Forests celebration here today, he said the state must continue developing new technologies to advance its green economy agenda, where development must not come at the expense of the environment. 'Our policy, which I want to share with you, is that the Sarawak government prioritises our natural resources. These resources must be managed prudently, and that will drive economic development through the opportunities created by our environmental conservation efforts,' he said. Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is also integrating circular economy principles into its green economy initiatives, including promoting recycling processes, particularly from palm oil mills and livestock waste, to produce green energy sources such as hydrogen and methane. He said Sarawak's circular economy model was among the topics highlighted in his keynote address at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May, where his phrase 'don't waste the wastes, monetise the wastes' drew the attention of attending economists. Abang Johari said that the state circular economy approach was one of the matters that he highlighted in his keynote address at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur recently, to which his phrase of 'don't waste the wastes, monetise the wastes' attracted the attention of economists attending the event. 'I mentioned this because our policy takes into account how we can sustain the environment while developing our state,' he said. According to him, Sarawak's green economy initiative was also acknowledged at the World Asia Hydrogen Conference 2025 in Tokyo, where he delivered a keynote address last Thursday. He also revealed that he has been invited to deliver a similar address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 'I was informed that they will invite me to share our policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. That means the world has acknowledged us,' he added. — BERNAMA
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Sarawak looks to turn cow dung into hydrogen under circular green economy push
Abang Johari placing his palm onto the digital box to activate the launch of state-level International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025 at the Forest Research Centre here today. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (July 12): Sarawak is exploring the conversion of cow dung into hydrogen as part of its long-term circular green economy strategy, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. According to the Premier, cow dung, which emits methane as it decomposes, can be processed into a renewable fuel source, opening new avenues for sustainable energy generation. 'If there are many cows, there will be a lot coming out of the cows. 'What comes out of the cows contains a lot of hydrogen because it produces methane, and from that, hydrogen can be extracted and used,' he said in his speech during the launch of the state-level International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025 at the Forest Research Centre here today. Abang Johari said this initiative aligns with Sarawak's broader aim to monetise waste under its green growth model. 'Don't waste the waste — monetise the waste,' he said, quoting what he had recently shared at the ASEAN Summit for economic leaders in Kuala Lumpur. He said the phrase has since been picked up by organisers as a key branding theme, reflecting global interest in Sarawak's approach to environmental sustainability. Sharing recent developments, Abang Johari highlighted an initiative with Sarawak Land Custody and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) in Lubok Antu to extract biomass and biofuel from palm oil kernel waste, under a RM30 million pilot project. 'When we break the kernel, it produces biomass which we can use for animal feed. 'Early trials with cattle and goats showed that local feed produced from palm waste could support healthy livestock growth. 'At the moment our animals are thin, and expensive. During Hari Raya Korban, one cow can cost up to RM12,000. That means we can use this waste to support our livestock sector,' he said. He also revealed plans to develop biofuel from the same waste — including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — as part of Sarawak's efforts to reduce reliance on raw commodity exports and transition to value-added production. Touching on the theme of this year's IDF celebration, 'Forests and Food', Abang Johari reiterated the importance of forest conservation and sustainable resource use for long-term survival. Abang Johari plants Sarawak's 50 millionth tree — a belian — in conjunction with the state-level International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025 celebration. – Penerangan photo He praised the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) for their achievements in seed planting efforts, noting that they had exceeded the original target of 35 million trees by planting over 50 million to date. 'I want to thank those who brought belian tree seeds. If we can nurture these, we can replant many forest species — not only belian, but also nyatoh, meranti and others,' he said. Abang Johari also expressed strong interest in the department's use of 3D data technology to monitor forest conditions and tree species, which could support Sarawak's entry into carbon trading markets. 'Every species of tree has a different capacity to absorb carbon. If you have the technology to identify tree types and characteristics, you can determine aggregate carbon absorption. That's how carbon pricing is determined,' he said. He said Sarawak's sustainability efforts are rooted in the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, where environmental sustainability is one of the three main pillars alongside economic prosperity and social inclusivity. 'We have to execute our policies considering the importance of our environment,' he said. The Premier added that Sarawak's approach has been recognised internationally. He recently returned from Tokyo, where he participated in a global hydrogen conference and shared Sarawak's sustainability blueprint and hydrogen strategy. He also confirmed that Sarawak had been invited to present its policies at the World Economic Forum in Davos, after missing a previous engagement in Tianjin. 'In Tokyo, during a panel discussion, they acknowledged what Sarawak has done for the world in terms of environmental management and green energy. InsyaAllah, we've been told that we will be invited to Davos,' he added. Abang Johari emphasised that any form of development must strike a balance with environmental protection. He noted that extreme weather events around the world — from flooding in Texas to heatwaves in Japan and China — are a warning sign. 'If we cannot manage our environment by placing sustainability as the foundation, the world's temperature will rise. That's not just dangerous for nations, it's a threat to the entire human race. 'Humans cannot survive in temperatures of 43°C, 46°C, or 48°C. This is one of the major global challenges we face today,' he said. Abang Johari Tun Openg cow dung green economy hydrogen technology
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak's 3D forest mapping boosts carbon trading potential
KUCHING: A state-of-the-art 3D forest mapping system developed by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) could significantly improve the state's carbon trading capabilities by pinpointing forest areas with high carbon sequestration potential. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg praised the system for providing crucial data on forest carbon absorption, a key factor in carbon trading. 'If we have the data, as I saw in the 3D forest mapping system, we can determine the aggregate absorption capacity of our forests,' he said. Speaking at the Sarawak-level International Day of Forests celebration, Abang Johari emphasised the need for technological advancements to support the state's green economy agenda. He stressed that development must not compromise environmental sustainability. 'Our policy is that the Sarawak government prioritises natural resources. These must be managed prudently to drive economic growth through environmental conservation,' he added. The state is also adopting circular economy principles, including recycling waste from palm oil mills and livestock to produce green energy sources like hydrogen and methane. Abang Johari highlighted this approach during his keynote at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, where his phrase 'don't waste the wastes, monetise the wastes' resonated with economists. Sarawak's green initiatives have gained global recognition, including at the World Asia Hydrogen Conference 2025 in Tokyo. The Premier revealed he has been invited to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 'The world has acknowledged us,' he said. - Bernama
5 days ago
- Politics
US military, NATO officials discuss possible weapons sales to aid Ukraine
United States military and NATO officials are discussing a possible plan that could be unveiled in the coming days that would provide Ukraine with much-needed aerial defense weapons, including Patriot systems, by funneling U.S. weapons through the European alliance, officials said. The idea of NATO buying weapons from the U.S. -- which President Donald Trump said he supports -- comes after months of uncertainty about Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's brutal air assaults without sophisticated U.S. air defenses. Still unclear, though, is if the U.S. plans to pull weapons systems from its own military stocks to sell to European allies – an approach that would help Ukraine in the near term. Defense officials, however, have recently expressed previous concerns that the U.S. supply of some weapons could be too low. A senior NATO military official and a second U.S. official confirmed that discussions were underway on how to make the idea work. "President [Donald] Trump has spoken about this, not just with the press, but with the NATO Secretary General, who is working with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need," the senior NATO military official told ABC News. "This includes urgent efforts to procure key supplies from the U.S., including air defense and ammunition." The official added that "NATO has effective mechanisms in place to make something like this possible." According to a U.S. official, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a conference call on Friday with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top military commander for U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, to discuss possible ways to provide the aid. In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump suggested the concept of selling weapons to NATO was a done deal. "We're sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%," he said, adding that an announcement on Russia was expected Monday. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested one option could be for Europeans to ship their own air defense systems to Ukraine now and purchase replacements from the U.S. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "actively working" with Germany to "speed up decisions" on receiving the air defense systems Ukraine needs. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was scheduled to visit the Pentagon for talks with Hegseth on Monday.
