KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The National Climate Change Bill (Ruupin) could be tabled during the current parliamentary sitting, subject to Cabinet approval, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

“With regards to Ruupin, I will update the Cabinet this week about all the engagement sessions that we’ve had. And as soon as I get the green light from the Cabinet, I hope to table it in Parliament as soon as possible, even possibly in this current Parliament [sitting],” he said.

The stakeholder engagement included consultations aimed at safeguarding Sabah's and Sarawak’s rights.

Ruupin needs to be passed before the carbon tax can be introduced. Arthur said on Oct 5 that the tax would not be implemented this year, giving the government time to put the necessary policy and regulatory framework in place.

He also said work was still under way on the Malaysia National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP) and that he hoped to complete it as soon as possible but did not give a deadline.

MyNAP had previously been targeted for completion in 2026. In April last year, former NRES minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that he hoped to complete it the following year. The national adaptation plan is intended to complement Ruupin.

Arthur was speaking at a press conference after the MyNAP High-Level Forum at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Wednesday.

The forum was held in conjunction with the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2026, which runs from Oct 7 to 9.

In his keynote speech at the forum earlier, Arthur called for greater private investment in climate adaptation, saying private financing was key to turning MyNAP’s priorities into projects that would protect people, businesses and infrastructure from climate risks.

“MyNAP will provide a framework to identify climate risks, set priorities and guide adaptation measures across key sectors, including water, agriculture, forestry and biodiversity, cities and infrastructure, and public health,” said Arthur.

“Malaysia has already established important climate policies and plans, and MyNAP is an important next step to bring our adaptation priorities together and guide action across the country. But plans need finance, investment, technology and partnerships to become reality,” he said.

Malaysia’s climate policies and plans include the National Climate Change Policy 2.0, its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and NDC Roadmap, and the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.

On financing, Arthur said public funds alone would be insufficient to meet Malaysia’s adaptation needs, calling for arrangements that could draw more private capital into the sector.

“We need to find ways to bring more private capital into adaptation, including through public-private partnerships, blended finance, guarantees and other suitable approaches. At the same time, we need more good and investable projects with clear climate benefits, clear roles and suitable returns or wider economic benefits,” he said.

Businesses and investors could contribute capital, technology and expertise while protecting their own operations, supply chains and assets from climate risks, he added.

The World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Report, launched in April 2026, estimates that Malaysia may need US$852 billion to US$1.13 trillion by 2050 to build climate resilience.

This includes about US$69.8 billion for water supply, US$33.5 billion for irrigation and US$32.56 billion for disaster resilience.

The report also estimates that, without stronger climate action, climate impacts could reduce Malaysia’s gross domestic product by up to 16% by 2050.

Arthur said floods could disrupt businesses, transport and supply chains while water stress could affect agriculture and industries.

Extreme heat could also affect workers’ health and productivity.

Investments in stronger infrastructure, water security, early warning systems, climate-resilient agriculture and nature-based solutions could help reduce these risks and limit future losses and disruption, he said.