KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): Malaysia has a timely opportunity to lead the regional energy transition as renewable energy capacity grows and the Asean Power Grid develops, according to Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

Speaking at the opening of ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Tuesday, Abdul Rahman said Malaysia aspires to become a leading clean energy hub in the region, according to a press statement on Tuesday.

"Over the coming decade, Malaysia has an opportunity to lead the energy transition. Its success will depend on the engineers and industry partners who turn policy into working projects," Abdul Rahman said.

Co-located with DCX Asia (Data Centre Exhibition Asia) under the theme Powering Asia’s Digital Backbone, the four-day trade event runs through Sept 25. The exhibition spans five halls across 9,700 sq metres and brings together industry professionals, technology providers, and decision-makers across the engineering and HVAC&R value chain. The event features over 260 local and international brands showcasing more than 1,000 mechanical and electrical (M&E) and HVAC&R solutions.

Datuk Vincent Lim, president of event co-organiser C.I.S. Network Sdn Bhd, said the region is seeing significant investments in energy, infrastructure, data centres, manufacturing, and the built environment.

"The opportunity is there to connect the people building what Asean will need next. That is why we are putting the spotlight on where the future is taking shape. ENGINEER & MARVEX brings the exhibition and conference together as a CONFEX platform, connecting the industry through technology, knowledge, and expertise — and creating the space for those connections to turn into business opportunities," Lim said.

The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) president Yau Chau Fong noted that the IEM Convention, held alongside the exhibition, complements product displays by facilitating technical exchange and professional dialogue.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Association president Gan Chok Ser described the event as an industry-led platform designed to foster connection, technical learning, and standards advancement across the HVAC&R sector.

Beyond the trade floor, the conference programme features over 100 hours of knowledge sessions with more than 150 local and international speakers across various forums, including the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Forum, MARVEX Forum, A.C.E Conference, Future Ready Green Data Centre Symposium, Urban Engineering Symposium, and ENGINEER & MARVEX Power Talks.

The event also includes the ENGINEER & MARVEX Excellence Awards to highlight innovative industry solutions, the MARVEX Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Skills Competition, the IEM Ideas Competition, and a Career Matching Day organised by the IEM Young Engineers Section.