KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): Opposition Members of Parliament have urged the government to reconsider its decision to allow the export of renewable energy (RE), claiming that it has driven investors away from Malaysia.

Former energy and natural resources minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Perikatan Nasional [PN]-Kota Bharu) highlighted that Malaysia's renewable resources could be a significant attraction for foreign investors, especially those committed to 100% renewable electricity, such as companies that are part of the Renewable Energy 100 (RE100).

He emphasised that during the time of the PN-Barisan Nasional government, a key agenda was to promote RE, which led to the government's decision to ban RE exports.

"However, the current government has reversed this policy, and lifted the ban on RE exports, resulting in confirmed investors in Malaysia relocating [elsewhere]," Takiyuddin stated when interjecting during Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's debate on Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

Similarly, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) also expressed concerns about allowing the export of RE, potentially hindering Malaysia's ability to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

"I am concerned that not only will we fail to achieve the net-zero emissions target, but Malaysia will also miss out on job opportunities due to the government's decision to lift the RE export ban," he stated.

In response, Hamzah called on the government to adopt a strategy that attracts more investors to Malaysia, emphasising a long-term perspective for the benefit of the country and its people.

"Therefore, I agree with both MPs and call on the government to reconsider its decision to lift the export ban on RE, as this may discourage investors from investing or expanding their businesses in Malaysia," he added.

The ban on exporting RE was imposed in October 2021 during the tenure of then energy minister Takiyuddin. At that time, the government led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob permitted the export of up to 100MW of conventional energy to Singapore. Exports of conventional power to Thailand were also allowed, with the condition that the exporter would need to construct a dedicated interconnection for this purpose.

In May this year, the government lifted the RE export ban as part of a policy review aimed at promoting the growth of the energy industry, as announced by Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli. According to Rafizi, these policy revisions were deliberated upon by the Cabinet, taking into account increasing demand for RE in the region.

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