PM: M’sia well on its way to developing clean technology

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is well on its way to developing clean technology as part of its global commitment to protect the environment, as well as, take measures to ensure such a move contribute to the nation’s social and economic development.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia was working hard to meet the country’s carbon-reduction commitment – a 40 per cent cut in emission intensity by 2020, from 2005 levels.

“We aim to meet this goal through a variety of measures, all of which increase growth, create new industries and jobs, and boost prosperity,” he said in his 1Malaysia blog.

Najib said Malaysia was a major producer of clean energy products such as solar panels and efficient LED lighting, and have also introduced a feed-in tariff to boost the country’s domestic uptake of renewable energy and broaden the energy mix.

“We seek to grow and diversify these sectors, so we can lead the low carbon economy of the future,” he added.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister said, Malaysia was also investing billions of dollars in clean energy infrastructure such as Islander Malaysia, a new eco-city of three million people just across the water from Singapore.

“Plans are also afoot to build a South-East Asian high-speed rail network, initially connecting Kuala Lumpur with Singapore, but eventually reaching China,” he added.

He also said Malaysia would soon become a major exporter of rare earth elements, a key ingredient of clean technology products such as hybrid cars and wind turbines, with a new plant producing some 20 per cent of the global supply.

“This single factory will contribute 1 per cent to Malaysia’s GDP – underscoring the economic rationale of leading the clean economy,” he said.

On the need of Asian countries to address climate change, he said, it was time for Asia to be part of the solution since Asia has been forecast to produce 40 per cent of the world’s energy-related greenhouse gasses by end of the decade.

Although western nations have brought the world to the climate precipice, but Asia must not push it over the edge, he stressed. “As Asia rises, so must its climate commitment.

At the current UN climate conference in Doha, Asian leaders must argue for strong and effective action on climate change.

And we must be prepared to play our part in reducing emission. Our future development demands it,” he said. Najib said the consequences of inaction will increase the risks to our people, our cities and our economies, and “doing nothing is no longer an option.” — Bernama