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Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
I need to be there, there and there
Road closures are the price locals have to pay for the necessary exercise of regional and international diplomacy THE ASEAN Summit, or to be precise, the summit's attending circus, has rolled into town. If you're one of the thousands of motorists whose vehicle is currently parked on an expressway somewhere near Kuala Lumpur (KL), this was information that would have been useful before you turned your ignition this morning. Now you're stuck, probably needing a toilet too, but it's not the end of the world. Think of it as taking one for the team, just lean your seat back and think of durian. As my friend Jimmy would say 'who call you never read the Internet one'. To be fair, much information has been put out by the government over road closures that will be made between May 23 and 28. To be more accurate, the road closure information consists of a chart with names of roads and their expected closure times. This was to make sure all the officials and dignitaries would have unhindered travel during the ASEAN Summit extravaganza as they go from airport to hotels to conference rooms, and for spouses, to batik-printing demonstrations. The ASEAN Summit, like other gabfests around the world when Heads of State convene, is always justified by their all-important pronouncement at the end of it. The heads of ASEAN, who will ponder collectively in KL about matters ranging from US President Donald Trump's tariffs to regional security, are expected to come out with a good joint statement this year and also pave the way for another one a few months ahead where China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will also join in the fun. The fact that many citizens think ASEAN countries never intervene with each other or have never resolved any issues to date is moot and honestly rude. This very important biannual gabfest is also a good time for the leader of the host nation to show off his capital city to his friends. That's why their comfort and security are paramount over any minor discomfort the property of the Klang Valley may feel. 'Why don't they just hold it in Putrajaya? There's nobody there?' is a common Klang Valley gripe. Another is: 'Isn't that what Putrajaya was built for? Its raison d'etre?' As a resident of Cyberjaya, which is cheek-by-jowl with the national Admin City, I would agree. I would also advocate that Cyberjaya residents evacuate to other parts of the country for the duration of any events like an ASEAN Summit. After studying the current planned road closures, the conclusion is that Cyberjaya is now a landlocked island until the 28th. No one is coming in or going out. Toilet supplies are limited, but we think we will manage. 'Better be worth it, lor; we still remember last month when the Chinese taiko came over. I got stuck on MEX (Maju Expressway) two hours, you know.' ZB Othman is an editor of The Malaysian Reserve. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Malaysian Reserve
26-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia steers ASEAN Community Vision 2045 toward global relevance
It is supported by 4 strategic plans: Political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity by SHAUQI WAHAB MALAYSIA is expected to direct ASEAN's engagement on peace, cooperation and resilience under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 toward greater involvement in global affairs while reinforcing its foundational principle of neutrality during the 46th ASEAN Summit. This year marks Malaysia's fifth tenure as ASEAN chair, drawing around 20,000 participants, including delegates, staff and support personnel, to discuss regional cooperation and strategic initiatives. The Asean Community Vision 2045 is supported by four strategic plans: Political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity. These plans aim to deepen regional integration, enhance economic resilience and address various challenges. Focusing on ASEAN centrality and global neutrality, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said Malaysia's priorities go beyond trade and economy. While Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stressed economic matters as a priority, Azmi believes the broader objective is strengthening ASEAN centrality and its global relevance. 'I think ASEAN centrality will be the main focus. Anwar as the chairman wants ASEAN to be more involved in what is happening not only within ASEAN, but outside of it,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). This ambition has already been evident in Anwar's diplomatic engagements, such as offering Malaysia's mediator role in international conflicts like the India-Pakistan dispute and expressing concern over crises in Gaza and Ukraine. Anwar (right) meets Xi to uphold Malaysia's and ASEAN's neutrality, despite external pressure (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Respectable Organisation Azmi said this represents Malaysia's intent to elevate ASEAN's status as a very respectable organisation, capable of constructive engagement in global issues. However, the Myanmar conflict remains a sore point for the bloc. Despite Anwar's meeting with the Myanmar military junta during a visit to Thailand and receiving verbal assurances of a ceasefire, the continued aggression by the junta has undermined ASEAN's collective peace efforts. 'So, I would say that this issue will not be a priority, because the junta will not be present. Whatever ASEAN decided, for example the Five-Point Consensus for Myanmar to return to democracy a few years ago, was never respected,' he added. On the economic front, Azmi pointed to trade concerns with the US, particularly surrounding tariff tensions, as a dominant theme of ASEAN-level discussions. According to Azmi, Malaysia as chairman wants to broaden up the market not only for Malaysia, but also for ASEAN While member states are expected to maintain individual trade strategies, Malaysia is looking to strengthen partnerships through multilateral platforms. He highlighted the upcoming ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit — which may include China, Japan and South Korea — as a crucial diplomatic and economic opportunity. According to Azmi, this is a win-win situation. For ASEAN and China, it is a gateway to the lucrative GCC market. 'Malaysia as chairman wants to broaden up the market not only for Malaysia, but also for ASEAN,' he said. He said this approach shows ASEAN's adherence to neutrality despite pressures from global superpowers. Azmi also noted Anwar's recent visit to Moscow and engagement with President Vladimir Putin, along with openness toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, as deliberate diplomatic balancing acts. 'Even though there are pressures not to entertain Xi Ji and also not to visit Moscow, Anwar made a decision to move forward to extend Malaysia's and also ASEAN's neutrality,' he said. Equitable Global Economic Landscape Additionally, Azmi opined that Malaysia and other ASEAN nations' potential alignment with BRICS is not an ideological shift, but a platform to advocate for a more equitable global economic landscape and a level playing field for the Global South. Meanwhile, Global Asia Consulting senior consultant Samirul Ariff Othman said Malaysia's unique blend of non-alignment, moderate diplomacy and strategic geography has positioned it as a vital player in shaping the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. With rising geopolitical competition, ASEAN faces mounting pressure to choose sides, particularly amid US-China rivalry and expanding security pacts in the Indo-Pacific, but he argued that Malaysia can guide the region toward a posture of neutrality and resilience through credible, balanced leadership. 'Malaysia is uniquely positioned to shape ASEAN Vision 2045 due to its tradition of non-alignment, multilateral engagement and its central geography in the region. 'It can play a pivotal role in ensuring that regional stability, neutrality and unity remain at the core of the Vision 2045,' he told TMR. This includes promoting ASEAN Neutral Corridors in critical areas like digital infrastructure, cyberspace and maritime routes, which are increasingly caught in a geostrategic tug-of-war. Samirul Ariff suggested that Malaysia's current initiatives in local currency settlements — such as cross-currency trade with China, Indonesia and Thailand — offer a model of economic autonomy that could inspire broader regional adoption. Samirul Ariff says Malaysia's influence on ASEAN Vision 2045 will rely on its ability to balance ambition with credibility Malaysia's credibility on the global stage is not accidental. Its legacy as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and its history of mediating complex regional conflicts — from the Mindanao peace process to dialogues involving Myanmar and Palestine — has earned it the reputation of a neutral broker in South-East Asia. This perception, according to Samirul Ariff, enhances Malaysia's ability to influence ASEAN policy from within. Malaysia's influence on ASEAN Vision 2045 will rely on its ability to balance ambition with credibility. 'By leveraging its legacy of moderation, institutional presence in ASEAN mechanisms and emerging leadership under Anwar's foreign policy recalibration, Malaysia can help steer the region toward a more autonomous, resilient and unified future.' Samirul Ariff then pointed to Malaysia's recent push for ASEAN-wide reforms in security and diplomacy. Among these are efforts to upgrade the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) to include cyber security and pandemic simulations, revive regional preventive diplomacy tools and proposing a maritime neutrality charter to depoliticise key sea lanes. He believes that Malaysia's strength lies in its midpoint diplomacy — engaging simultaneously with China, the US, India and the European Union (EU) — without being drawn into bloc politics. This strategy should be institutionalised in ASEAN Vision 2045 as a model for navigating an increasingly multipolar world. Samirul Ariff added that Malaysia's refusal to host foreign bases or join exclusive security alliances such as the Australia, the UK and US (AUKUS) security partnership reflects its commitment to ASEAN's neutral posture. 'These are political and diplomatic values that can be translated into regional norms,' he said. Key Ministries Shaping ASEAN 2025 Agenda Malaysia's leadership in hosting the ASEAN Summit 2025 is strongly supported by key ministries and government figures, each playing a strategic role in advancing the summit's diplomatic, economic and security agenda. Supporting PM's diplomatic objectives is Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra), which is tasked with coordinating multilateral relations, engaging with ASEAN counterparts and shaping the country's official positions on political and security issues. With geopolitical tensions intensifying in the Indo-Pacific, Samirul Ariff said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has adopted a firm yet non-confrontational approach at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to ASEAN centrality and non-alignment. At the heart of his strategy is the vision to transform ASEAN into a convener rather than a proxy battleground, pushing for the revitalisation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with concrete pipelines in green infrastructure, maritime cooperation and disaster resilience. On the South China Sea, Samirul Ariff noted that Mohamad has proposed timeline-based negotiations for a binding code of conduct and convening ASEANChina maritime workshops involving coast guards and environmental agencies. He has also maintained Malaysia's sovereign claims while keeping diplomatic lines open with China. Mohamad is advancing institutional reforms in line with the Asean Community Vision 2045, including a Digital ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Portal and People-Centred Foreign Policy Dialogue — initiatives meant to modernise diplomacy and amplify grassroots voices. Furthermore, he also supports elevating non-traditional security concerns like cyber threats and AI governance within ASEAN's defence dialogue. 'Mohamad's chairmanship signals a confident pivot in Malaysian diplomacy — one that reinforces ASEAN unity while staying agile amid great power rivalries,' Samirul Ariff said. Meanwhile, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI), led by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, is leading deliberations on regional trade policies, industrial cooperation, digital economy frameworks and response to global tariff tensions. MITI's involvement is crucial in reinforcing Malaysia's push for equitable trade growth and deeper economic integration within ASEAN and beyond. Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli is providing essential policy input on sustainable development, digital connectivity and long-term economic planning to align Malaysia's economic strategies with ASEAN's broader ambitions. Defence Ministry also plays a vital role in the summit's security and defence-related agenda. Through platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), the ministry contributes to shaping confidence-building measures, peacekeeping cooperation and regional stability, particularly in the face of emerging non-traditional threats such as cybersecurity and maritime security. With deliverables such as the ASEAN Cyber Peace Table and a regional risk monitoring framework on the horizon, Malaysia is asserting itself as a principled middle power shaping ASEAN's future. Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from May 26-27, the 46th ASEAN Summit also features the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, focusing on themes of inclusivity and sustainability. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Najib files contempt of court application against former AG
by FARAH SOLHI FORMER Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak has filed a committal application against former Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh (picture). According to court documents seen by The Malaysian Reserve (TMR), the application — filed on May 21, 2025 — sought the Kuala Lumpur High Court's leave (permission) to initiate committal proceedings on the grounds of contempt of court. The law firm issuing the documents said that Ahmad Terrirudin, being the AG at the material time, had knowingly, consciously and deliberately instructed or caused arguments that were untrue to be presented to the High Court, during Naijb's leave application for judicial review in regards to the Addendum Order. 'He (Ahmad Terrirudin) had received the Order from the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong instructing him, by name, to execute the house imprisonment of the applicant's (Najib) from Jan 29, 2024. 'The respondent endorsing such false submissions to the court is contrary to his paramount duty to the administration of justice. 'It undermines public confidence in the judicial system and constitutes contempt in the face of the court and or an interference with the due administration of justice, especially when the office of the AG has a duty of candour towards the applicant and the public at large,' the document stated. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the law firm reiterated its claims that Ahmad Terrirudin had direct knowledge of the Order, following a Pahang Royal Council letter that had formally confirmed the authenticity and validity of the Order, that was personally addressed to the former AG during his time in office. 'Despite having such knowledge, our client asserts that the former AG, while in office, instructed his officers to mislead the High Court during the hearing of the leave application for judicial review by portraying our client's claim regarding the existence of the Addendum Order as a fishing expedition — speculative and based on hearsay — despite knowing this to be patently false. 'It is our client's view that as a public officer, the former AG owed the court a paramount duty of candour. 'Malaysian and international jurisprudence, including decisions of our own Federal Court recently, makes plain that the government must place all relevant facts and documents before the court in any judicial review matter. 'A deliberate failure to do so undermines public confidence in the administration of justice, and indeed is an obstruction of justice itself,' the statement said. The firm further said that given Ahmad Terrirudin now serves as a Federal Court judge, it is essential that he be afforded an opportunity to answer these serious allegations, and if appropriate, purge the contempt. Najib, 71, filed his judicial review application on April 1 last year, seeking a mandamus order from the court to compel the government and six other respondents to confirm the existence of the royal addendum. However, the Kuala Lumpur (KL) High Court dismissed his application on July 3 of the same year, ruling that the affidavits submitted constituted hearsay evidence. On Jan 6 this year, the Court of Appeal returned Najib's application regarding the royal addendum to the High Court for a hearing. On April 28, the Federal Court allowed the current AG's appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision, and the Apex Court is scheduled to hear the case in July. Najib is currently serving his jail term in Kajang Prison, Selangor, after the Federal Court maintained KL High Court's decision which found him guilty of corruption involving RM42 millions of funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Initially, he was sentenced to serve 12 years jail term and RM120 million fine on Aug 23, 2022. However, the Pardons Board announced on Feb 2 last year that his sentence was reduced to six years, with the fine lowered from RM120 million to RM50 million.
Malaysian Reserve
21-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Nik Nazmi: Malaysia's green facade risks collapse without climate sincerity
Many companies aim to appear 'green', but insincerity risks losing both consumer trust and young talent by AKMAR ANNUAR GREEN is becoming a fashionable look in Malaysia in recent years. Corporations are launching 'eco-friendly' campaigns, developers are advertising 'sustainable living', and government-linked companies (GLCs) frequently cite environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments in glossy reports. However, according to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, much of it is smoke and mirrors. 'Greenwashing is real. You poke the façade, and sometimes, there is nothing behind it,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). In an interview following the release of his book Saving the Planet: Climate and Environmental Lessons from Malaysia and Beyond, he spoke candidly about the country's climate policies, corporate accountability and the urgent need to align words with action. 'Everyone wants to be seen as 'green' now but we need to measure sincerity. It becomes a a problem if it is just a marketing gimmick. 'And it is not just about losing customers — companies could lose talent, too. The younger generation is watching,' he said. Nik Nazmi warned that performative sustainability is failing the country and its people. At the heart of his concern is what he calls Malaysia's paradox: A country rich in biodiversity but also reliant on emissions-heavy industries, such as palm oil, and oil and gas (O&G), to fuel its development. The challenge, he said, is not choosing between development and sustainability: Instead, it is in making sure one does not undermine the other. Nik Nazmi said as a middle-income country, Malaysians need homes, jobs and food. 'We cannot just shut things down overnight like the developed world wants us to, but we also cannot afford to delay action,' he said. Climate change does not win you elections here. It is not a headline issue like cost of living. But the irony is, these issues are connected. Environmental degradation affects water supply, food security and public health. It is all part of the same ecosystem. — Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad Climate Policy in Motion Nik Nazmi, who has helmed Malaysia's environment portfolio since late 2022, said the government is making structural changes to enforce genuine climate action. Key among them is the upcoming Climate Change Act, scheduled for tabling this year. The law is expected to set out binding commitments for emissions reduction, including mechanisms for large-scale polluters to phase out harmful practices or pay penalties. The government is also introducing a national adaptation plan next year to improve Malaysia's resilience — especially in the face of rising sea levels, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Last year, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act was passed in the Parliament, targeting the country's largest energy consumers and mandating efficiency standards that are expected to reduce overall carbon emissions. These efforts are part of the country's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, although Nik Nazmi admitted that getting there will not be straightforward. In Saving the Planet, Nik Nazmi acknowledges the difficult road ahead, writing that Malaysia's geographic and economic identity places it in a precarious position. 'Malaysia is tropical, middle-income and a megadiverse. That makes us uniquely positioned — and uniquely vulnerable,' he said. With over 4,600km of coastline, the country is already feeling the brunt of the triple planetary crisis — climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Annual floods, deadly landslides, extreme heat events and worsening haze are not future risks, but current realities. 'Floods are happening more frequently. Heatwaves are getting worse. Human-wildlife conflict is on the rise. You cannot say this is distant anymore, it is here. And yet, he added, the country's political landscape is still catching up. 'Climate change does not win you elections here. It is not a headline issue like cost of living. But the irony is, these issues are connected. Environmental degradation affects water supply, food security and public health. It is all part of the same ecosystem,' he said. Natural disaster such as deadly landslides are not future risks, but current realities (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Holding Polluters Accountable While Malaysia has signed onto various global climate pacts, enforcement has long been a weak link. Nik Nazmi admitted as much, but shared that his ministry has made progress. 'We have taken illegal water polluters to court and we have also amended the Environmental Quality Act to increase maximum penalties — now up to RM10 million,' he said, but added that going after small factories alone is not enough. Big corporations must also feel the weight of their actions and Malaysia must have the tools to act — not just warnings and fines, but real regulatory frameworks. This also includes ensuring that sustainability disclosures are more than just green-tinted public relations. 'Too often, companies claim they are carbon neutral because they bought offsets. But where is the data? Where is the commitment to reducing emissions at the source?' he asked. Part of the challenge, Nik Nazmi argued, is overcoming the global North-South divide in climate diplomacy. In his book, he criticises the double standards that place disproportionate burdens on developing countries like Malaysia. 'We have only been extracting O&G for 70 years. Meanwhile, countries like the US and the UK have been polluted for over a century. You cannot expect us to stop first,' he said. The same logic applies to Malaysia's palm oil sector, which has long been in the crosshairs of environmental activists. 'Yes, there have been deforestation concerns, but palm oil remains the most efficient vegetable oil in terms of yield. Replacing it with soy or rapeseed will not necessarily help. The key is sustainable certification and regulation — not blanket bans,' he added. On the global stage, Malaysia continues to push for climate justice — the idea that historical polluters should finance and support green transitions in the Global South. This includes engaging with major carbon emitters that have walked away from multilateral commitments. 'We will engage the US regardless of who is in the White House. It has a historical responsibility to lead, not retreat,' Nik Nazmi said. According to Nik Nazmi, our ancestors built stilt houses not just as traditions but as adaptations (source: A Book Between the Noise Amid the policy talk and public duties, Nik Nazmi's decision to publish Saving the Planet — part memoir, part policy reflection — might seem unusual. But for him, it was a conscious move to bridge the gap between public understanding and high-level policymaking. 'It is not a textbook, it is written for the general reader. If we want action, we need awareness, and books are one way to reach people outside press conferences and policy briefings,' he said. In one section, he writes candidly about not being an environmental expert when he first took office. Instead, he leaned on conversations with scientists, civil society groups and communities on the ground. Writing the book was part of his learning process which helped him understand what is at stake. Nik Nazmi also dedicated a chapter to religion and cultural heritage, arguing that sustainability is not a foreign concept but deeply embedded in Malaysia's civilizational values. 'Islam, like many faiths, teaches stewardship. Our ancestors built stilt houses and wore breathable batik for a reason. These are not just traditions — they are adaptations,' he said. What's Next? Despite the legislative progress, Nik Nazmi knows that laws alone will not fix everything. What's needed, he said, is a cultural shift: In business, government and public consciousness. 'It cannot just be about slogans. That era is over. We need to be honest with ourselves — are we serious about change or are we just painting everything green?' he said. As Malaysia moves closer to becoming a high-income nation, Nik Nazmi believes the country has a unique opportunity to lead — not by copying Western models, but by offering one rooted in tropical resilience, social justice and sincerity. 'We will not get everything right but we need to mean what we say, because the planet is watching, and so are our children,' he said. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Gas Malaysia unveils Malaysia's first centralised biomethane injection station
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 Text Size: Pic by Muhd Amin Naharul/The Malaysian Reserve KLUANG: Gas Malaysia Berhad, via its subsidiary Gas Malaysia Green Ventures (GMGV), has launched Malaysia's first marking a major step in the nation's green energy transition. Officiated by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, the facility will channel biomethane from nearby palm oil mills into the natural gas grid, supporting Malaysia's National Energy Policy, NETR, and the National Biomass Action Plan. Chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee highlighted the initiative as part of Gas Malaysia's GM32 Strategy to drive cleaner energy solutions. The biomethane produced will be ISCC-certified, aiding industrial partners in meeting sustainability targets and supporting a circular economy. The event also saw recognitions from the Malaysian Book of Records, a financing deal with AmBank, and a green tech collaboration with Evonik. The facility is expected to be operational in the second half of 2025. Advertisement * 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
