Latest news with #MyDigital
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia urges ASEAN unity for fair, inclusive energy transition
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, has called on member states to step up regional cooperation to drive a fair, secure and inclusive energy transition, in line with climate goals and the region's growing energy demand. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the region's energy future must be grounded in unity, practical frameworks and mutual benefits. 'As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia is deeply committed to promoting dialogue, building consensus and advancing regional frameworks that will power a cleaner, more secure and more inclusive energy future,' he said. He said this in his keynote address at the Energy Transition Meeting in ASEAN: Fostering Regional Cooperation organised by MyDigital here today. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said ASEAN's energy demand has been growing faster than the global average, at three per cent annually, and is projected to rise by more than 60 per cent by 2040, presenting both opportunities and challenges. 'This growth, while reflective of our economic dynamism, presents us with a pressing dilemma: how do we continue powering our progress while safeguarding environmental sustainability and ensuring affordability for all? 'The answer lies in a managed, inclusive and well-coordinated energy transition, one that reflects the diversity of ASEAN while advancing a common vision,' he said. He highlighted ASEAN's progress under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II, noting that renewable energy now makes up 34 per cent of installed electricity capacity, though its share in total primary energy supply remains at 16 per cent. 'Vietnam has rapidly expanded its solar capacity by more than 20GW since 2019; Indonesia is anchoring a Just Energy Transition Partnership to transition to cleaner energy sources with at least USD20 billion of support; (and) Thailand has adopted a Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to align sustainability with productivity,' he said. He also reaffirmed Malaysia's target of 70 per cent renewables in installed capacity by 2050 under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Fadillah said regional integration was crucial, especially through mechanisms like the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), which aims to unlock cross-border power trade, leveraging the region's uneven distribution of renewable resources. 'The Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) is a prime example of how multilateral electricity trade is possible, allowing countries to work together to deliver renewable electricity across borders. 'From a national perspective, Malaysia commenced its first cross-border green electricity trade with Singapore through ENEGEM (Energy Exchange Malaysia). In just 148 days, over 107 TWh of green electricity generated from solar and hydro has been successfully delivered across the Causeway to Singapore,' he added. He stressed the need to harmonise green attributes such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) across the region to boost investor confidence and prevent double-counting. 'Malaysia strongly supports an ASEAN-wide framework for green attributes that aligns with international best practices,' he said, adding that this will be one of the priorities under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship. Fadillah said Malaysia would work through existing ASEAN platforms and newer partnerships like the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council and ASEAN-China dialogues, noting that the Gulf states bring substantial expertise in utility-scale renewables while China offers technology and financing. 'ASEAN must negotiate from a position of unity. A coordinated regional stance enhances our bargaining power, attracts large-scale investments and sends a strong signal that ASEAN is open for green business,' he said.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Fadillah: Malaysia urges Asean unity for fair, inclusive energy transition
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as Asean Chair for 2025, has called on member states to step up regional cooperation to drive a fair, secure and inclusive energy transition, in line with climate goals and the region's growing energy demand. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the region's energy future must be grounded in unity, practical frameworks and mutual benefits. "As Chair of Asean in 2025, Malaysia is deeply committed to promoting dialogue, building consensus and advancing regional frameworks that will power a cleaner, more secure and more inclusive energy future," he said. He said this in his keynote address at the Energy Transition Meeting in Asean: Fostering Regional Cooperation organised by MyDigital here on Monday (May 26). Fadillah, also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said Asean's energy demand has been growing faster than the global average, at three per cent annually, and is projected to rise by more than 60% by 2040, presenting both opportunities and challenges. "This growth, while reflective of our economic dynamism, presents us with a pressing dilemma: how do we continue powering our progress while safeguarding environmental sustainability and ensuring affordability for all? "The answer lies in a managed, inclusive and well-coordinated energy transition, one that reflects the diversity of Asean while advancing a common vision," he said. He highlighted Asean's progress under the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II, noting that renewable energy now makes up 34% of installed electricity capacity, though its share in total primary energy supply remains at 16%. "Vietnam has rapidly expanded its solar capacity by more than 20GW since 2019; Indonesia is anchoring a Just Energy Transition Partnership to transition to cleaner energy sources with at least USD20bil of support; (and) Thailand has adopted a Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to align sustainability with productivity," he said. He also reaffirmed Malaysia's target of 70% renewables in installed capacity by 2050 under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Fadillah said regional integration was crucial, especially through mechanisms like the Asean Power Grid (APG), which aims to unlock cross-border power trade, leveraging the region's uneven distribution of renewable resources. "The Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) is a prime example of how multilateral electricity trade is possible, allowing countries to work together to deliver renewable electricity across borders. "From a national perspective, Malaysia commenced its first cross-border green electricity trade with Singapore through ENEGEM (Energy Exchange Malaysia). In just 148 days, over 107 TWh of green electricity generated from solar and hydro has been successfully delivered across the Causeway to Singapore," he added. He stressed the need to harmonise green attributes such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) across the region to boost investor confidence and prevent double-counting. "Malaysia strongly supports an Asean-wide framework for green attributes that aligns with international best practices," he said, adding that this will be one of the priorities under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship. Fadillah said Malaysia would work through existing Asean platforms and newer partnerships like the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council and Asean-China dialogues, noting that the Gulf states bring substantial expertise in utility-scale renewables while China offers technology and financing. "Asean must negotiate from a position of unity. A coordinated regional stance enhances our bargaining power, attracts large-scale investments and sends a strong signal that Asean is open for green business," he said. – Bernama
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Urges ASEAN Unity For Fair, Inclusive Energy Transition
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, has called on member states to step up regional cooperation to drive a fair, secure and inclusive energy transition, in line with climate goals and the region's growing energy demand. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the region's energy future must be grounded in unity, practical frameworks and mutual benefits. 'As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia is deeply committed to promoting dialogue, building consensus and advancing regional frameworks that will power a cleaner, more secure and more inclusive energy future,' he said. He said this in his keynote address at the Energy Transition Meeting in ASEAN: Fostering Regional Cooperation organised by MyDigital here today. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said ASEAN's energy demand has been growing faster than the global average, at three per cent annually, and is projected to rise by more than 60 per cent by 2040, presenting both opportunities and challenges. "This growth, while reflective of our economic dynamism, presents us with a pressing dilemma: how do we continue powering our progress while safeguarding environmental sustainability and ensuring affordability for all? 'The answer lies in a managed, inclusive and well-coordinated energy transition, one that reflects the diversity of ASEAN while advancing a common vision,' he said. He highlighted ASEAN's progress under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II, noting that renewable energy now makes up 34 per cent of installed electricity capacity, though its share in total primary energy supply remains at 16 per cent. 'Vietnam has rapidly expanded its solar capacity by more than 20GW since 2019; Indonesia is anchoring a Just Energy Transition Partnership to transition to cleaner energy sources with at least USD20 billion of support; (and) Thailand has adopted a Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to align sustainability with productivity,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt's AI training drive to include all workforce segments, says Gobind
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN THE government's artificial intelligence (AI) reskilling and upskilling initiatives will not be limited to fresh graduates or young talent, but will also include existing workers whose jobs are at risk of technological disruption, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (picture). He said the multi-layered approach to talent development reflects Malaysia's whole-of-nation strategy in preparing for the widespread impact of AI and digitalisation on the labour market. 'This is not focused on just one group. We're looking at various layers — from students in schools to those already working — because technology will affect jobs across the board,' Gobind said at the memorandum of understanding (MOU) exchange ceremony between TalentCorp and MyDigital today. While much of the government's digital literacy campaigns and early AI awareness efforts have been directed at students through curricular improvements, Gobind stressed that current employees will be a central focus of the government's training agenda. 'People who are already currently employed are the ones whose jobs will be impacted by technology. We must ensure they are trained to pivot when the time comes,' he said. The government's strategy, he explained, involves encouraging upskilling and reskilling while workers are still in their existing roles, allowing them to transition smoothly when technological shifts alter job requirements. 'This is what we aim to achieve — training while working, so that when change happens, these workers are not left behind,' Gobind said. The Digital Ministry is working closely with the National AI Office (NIO) and other stakeholders to map training needs and consolidate data from public and private providers, ensuring alignment with real industry demands. According to Gobind, this includes short- and long-term training programmes with various certifications under initiatives such as MyMahir and the National Training Week 2025, which aim to offer one million upskilling opportunities with a focus on IR4.0 and AI. He said the collaborative effort also involves accrediting training modules with digital badges and reaching sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, where the impact of automation is expected to be significant. 'This is why we need input from all sectors — academia, industry, associations and AI experts to make sure the system we build is inclusive and future-ready,' he noted.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia well-positioned amid semiconductor tariff uncertainty: OpenDC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is poised to strengthen its role as a regional data centre hub, despite global supply chains facing pressure from new US tariffs on semiconductor and tech products, said OpenDC Sdn Bhd founder and managing director Wong Weng Yew (pic). He said the country's established semiconductor ecosystem and proactive government engagement with industry stakeholders have positioned Malaysia to navigate current geopolitical uncertainties, including the latest round of tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese tech goods. 'The recent US tariffs on semiconductors have introduced complexities in the global tech supply chain, but Malaysia's data centre industry remains robust. 'Our resilience is bolstered by continued investments from major US technology firms, indicating sustained confidence in Malaysia's digital infrastructure,' he told SunBiz. He said the escalating demand for artificial intelligence-driven applications, cloud computing and enterprise digitalisation is driving a corresponding surge in data centre development, particularly in the Klang Valley. 'Malaysia is a strategic location, strong connectivity, and skilled workforce have made the country increasingly attractive as a stable, neutral alternative for data infrastructure investments in Southeast Asia.' At the same time, Wong said global companies are seeking to diversify their digital supply chains away from politically sensitive regions. 'Malaysia, with its neutral stance and maturing digital ecosystem, is increasingly seen as a strategic, stable location,' he noted. He said, while Singapore remains a key player in the region, constraints in land and energy supply are pushing hyperscalers and infrastructure developers to explore alternatives such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Furthermore, he noted that OpenDC anticipates a strong pipeline of new deals in 2025, including both greenfield and brownfield projects. 'We expect continued momentum from global and regional players, with a sharper focus on modular, energy-efficient designs and sustainable infrastructure. 'However, sustaining this growth will require addressing persistent challenges. These include managing the potential rise in infrastructure costs due to supply chain disruption, particularly for key components like servers, cooling systems, and electrical equipment, all of which may see price hikes or delay,' he said. He remarked that collaboration with energy providers such as TNB to supply renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements and partnerships with agencies like MIDA and SEDA, will be critical. 'We must reduce our dependence on global supply disruptions by strengthening local capabilities in talent development, green energy transition and upstream tech manufacturing,' he said. In this climate, Wong said Malaysia's policy consistency, cost competitiveness, and digital economy frameworks such as MyDigital and the National Industry 4.0 Policy are proving essential in supporting long-term growth in the data infrastructure sector.
