Latest news with #AseanWomenEconomicSummit2025
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sarawak power supply only a quick fix: Liberal Democratic Party
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 Text Size: Chin said Sabah's current energy infrastructure is outdated and unable to support emerging sectors like electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and smart agriculture. Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party President Datuk Chin Su Phin welcomed the Federal's efforts to address Sabah's power shortages but cautioned that relying on electricity imports from Sarawak is only a temporary fix and not a sustainable solution. Chin expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for exploring energy cooperation but said Sabah must prioritise its own long-term energy security. 'Sabah needs a robust, independent power system to drive its industrial, technological and agricultural growth,' he said in a statement, here, Monday. Chin said this in reaction to Sarawak Premier Abang Johari's recent announcement at the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025, where he outlined plans to expand Sarawak's role in the Asean Power Grid and boost energy production to 15 gigawatts by 2035. While acknowledging Sarawak's progress, Chin said Sabah must not rely on others for its energy needs. 'Let us accept help with gratitude but never surrender our right to build our own future,' he said. Advertisement Chin said Sabah's current energy infrastructure is outdated and unable to support emerging sectors like electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and smart agriculture. To meet future demands, he urged immediate investment in high-capacity, clean energy solutions, such as combined cycle gas turbine power plants, particularly along Sabah's rapidly developing west coast. He proposed a two-phase plan to develop up to 2,000 MW of local power generation, utilising the State's abundant natural gas reserves. 'This will ensure stable, affordable, and sustainable energy for decades,' he said. Chin also raised concerns over why Sabah was only now being considered for energy assistance, pointing out that Sarawak has been exporting electricity to Indonesia's West Kalimantan for six years and is now preparing to supply Brunei. 'Why were we overlooked before? Sabah must not remain an afterthought in national energy planning,' he said, pointing out that while regional cooperation is beneficial, it should not come at the cost of Sabah's autonomy. 'Malaya and Sarawak will always prioritise their own interests. Sabah must take charge of its own future,' he added. He said that without urgent upgrades, Sabah's status as the region's lowest electricity tariff provider could be at risk. He advocated for gas-based power plants as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to coal. 'We must plan for the next 20 years, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility,' he said. Chin urged Sabah leaders to set aside political differences and unite behind the goal of energy self-sufficiency. 'This is about economic dignity. We cannot afford to stay dependent on external aid,' he said, calling for the swift completion of the long-delayed Southern Link grid project to improve power reliability. * 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
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
UOB Malaysia reaffirms support for Asean growth and inclusive leadership
KUALA LUMPUR: UOB Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to Asean's growth, highlighting inclusive leadership and the empowerment of women in entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainability as key to unlocking the region's full potential. The statement comes as UOB Group marks its 90th anniversary. UOB Malaysia chief executive officer Ng Wei Wei said women entrepreneurs, like their male counterparts, face barriers in accessing financing, knowledge, digital tools and networks needed to scale their businesses and navigate a fast-changing digital economy. "We set up The UOB FinLab programme in 2019 to help SMEs grow. In recent years, we began focusing on women entrepreneurs across Malaysia and Singapore. "Through The FinLab, we have helped 1,200 of them to learn new digital tools and skills, navigate the economy, grow their businesses, and more importantly, build a strong ecosystem that helps them expand their networks," she said during the panel session titled "Global Power Hour: Women Pioneering Change Across Continents" held here yesterday. The session was part of the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025) and was moderated by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Ng shared the stage with Indonesia's vice minister of trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri and Cambodia's minister of commerce Chan Nimul. Themed "Empowering Women, Energising Asean: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow", AWES 2025 underlined the importance of placing women at the heart of Asean's economic transformation amid global uncertainty and digital disruption. The two-day inaugural summit was held alongside the 46th Asean Summit under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship. It drew more than 700 delegates from government, business and civil society to chart a more inclusive and resilient economic future. UOB Malaysia was the main sponsor of AWES 2025, with Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd as the empowerment partner.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Harnessing AWES-ome female talent
Empowering move: Tengku Zafrul and Women Leadership Foundation founder and chairman Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim jointly launching the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Asean's first Women's Economic Empowerment Centre (AWES), which will make economic potential and opportunities accessible to all including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth and women, will be set up in Kuala Lumpur. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said this aligns with the theme of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean this year, which is 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. 'In short, as Asean Chair for 2025, we are placing inclusive growth at the heart of South-East Asia's policies,' he said at the Asean Women Economic Summit, Bernama reported. Tengku Zafrul said while challenges facing the association's individual countries are unique, efforts must be made to ensure region-wide solutions. 'This is where AWES can play a stronger role and as Asean Chair, Malaysia looks forward to the centre,' he said. Tengku Zafrul hoped the centre would generate quick wins to create gender-inclusive standards and policies, as well as improve access to finance for the region. 'If we were to create a US$1bil (RM4.24bil) fund for Asean, how should it be governed to ensure broad-based impact, transparency and access for women-led businesses? 'A lot of work lies ahead. One summit alone won't solve all the challenges facing women. But the centre contributes to a worthy cause that has been championed for decades,' he added. Acknowledging that the odds are often stacked against women, he said Asean could reverse this by creating an environment for women to survive, thrive, enter or re-enter the workforce, start or sustain businesses and avoid having to choose between motherhood and a career. 'This is the roadmap for Malaysia and Asean's future prosperity,' he said. Sharing Malaysia's experience, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's Madani Economy framework emphasises sustainability, prosperity and inclusivity, and places women's empowerment at the heart of national development. In his own ministry, various concrete measures have been implemented, including introducing gender-responsive provisions in all new trade agreements and establishing a RM200mil fund specifically for women entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors. 'I should also add that in my ministry, women make up around 69% of the top management. Our chief negotiator on US tariffs, and one of our deputy secretary-generals is a lady. 'We also have many others who are highly experienced,' he added.
