Gas Malaysia, UK's Levidian team up to drive graphene production here
Gas Malaysia said the collaboration aligns with its long-term growth strategy and underscores its commitment to sustainability, innovation and delivering cleaner energy solutions.
Levidian's LOOP decarbonisation device is a modular system that cracks methane to produce clean hydrogen and capture carbon in the form of high-quality graphene.
The latter is a supermaterial with growing commercial relevance in industries such as automotive, batteries, paint and coatings, construction and advanced materials.
Both parties will collaborate on the deployment of a LOOP unit in Malaysia that will serve as a reference installation for further expansion toward broader regional commercialisation.
Gas Malaysia president and group chief executive officer (CEO) Ahmad Hashimi Abdul Manap said the partnership marks a significant step forward in its decarbonisation journey and pursuit of a sustainable future.
"By leveraging transformative technologies like LOOP, we aim to enhance the value of natural gas, diversify our revenue streams and reinforce our ESG agenda in support of Malaysia's energy transition," he said.
He added that its venture into high-quality graphene aligns well with the goals of Malaysia's New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
"Notably, graphene has been identified as one of four game-changing advanced materials under the National Advanced Materials Technology Roadmap 2021-2030, with the potential to transform the manufacturing sector."
Levidian CEO John Hartley said partnership lays the foundation for an impactful collaboration, delivering both economic and environmental value through innovation.
"We are proud to partner with Gas Malaysia in bringing LOOP to Southeast Asia, supporting both the region's decarbonisation goals and wider adoption of graphene as we continue on our journey to become one of the world's largest producers of high-quality, more sustainable graphene."
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Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
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Most accounting students graduate with strong knowledge of the Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS), but little to no exposure to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) guidelines, or climate risk reporting frameworks. This gap is stark considering regulatory developments. Bursa Malaysia now mandates detailed sustainability disclosures from listed companies. Employers are demanding ESG-aware accountants — yet fresh graduates often find themselves scrambling to learn these skills on the job. Recent findings reinforce this concern. According to the ACCA Global Talent Trends 2025 report, 71 per cent of Malaysian respondents expressed interest in sustainability-focused careers — one of the highest rates globally. However, 63 per cent also reported concerns about not having the right skills for the evolving workplace, especially in areas like ESG reporting, digital tools, and analytics. This suggests a clear disconnect between students' ambitions and the training they receive. Recognising the evolving demands of the profession, Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education has introduced Halatuju 4, a strategic blueprint for accounting education. Among its stated goals is the incorporation of sustainability, ethics, and digital competencies into accounting programmes — aligning academic outcomes with the future needs of the profession. This policy marks an important step in acknowledging ESG as a core competency area for accountants. However, as with any broad educational reform, implementation takes time and varies across institutions. Some universities have begun integrating ESG-related content more comprehensively, while others are still in the early stages of adoption. The writer argues that ESG is no longer optional for accountants — but Malaysian universities are lagging in preparing graduates for a sustainability-driven economy. — Unsplash pic The success of Halatuju 4 will ultimately depend on how effectively it translates from framework to classroom — ensuring that all graduates, regardless of university, are equipped for the ESG-driven future of accounting. One of the most pressing challenges is the lack of structured collaboration between universities and industry stakeholders. ESG-focused internships, live projects, and case studies are still rare in most public and private universities. This disconnect is especially concerning in ESG-intensive sectors such as palm oil, energy, and manufacturing — pillars of Malaysia's economy. These industries offer real-world sustainability challenges, yet students often graduate without having engaged with these contexts. Broader surveys support this gap. In a recent Economist Impact–EY study, 69 per cent of Malaysian employers and 90 per cent of employees agreed that acquiring new skills is essential for career progression. Yet 57 per cent of respondents reported that they do not clearly understand which specific skills are most in demand — a problem that has implications for both graduates and curriculum designers. Modern ESG reporting relies heavily on technology. Carbon accounting tools, climate risk dashboards, and ESG analytics platforms are integral to corporate reporting. Yet, most accounting programmes do not include training on ESG data tools or sustainability analytics. The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has recognised this issue. Its revised Competency Framework identifies ESG, climate change awareness, and sustainability literacy as essential future skillsets for accounting professionals — urging universities to embed these elements into their programmes. The private sector is already responding. 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Proficiency in ESG reporting software, data dashboards, and integrated reporting platforms must be a baseline — not a bonus. The foundations for reform are beginning to take shape. But unless they are implemented more quickly and consistently, Malaysian universities risk falling behind — and so will the graduates they produce. As ESG reshapes the future of business, the role of the accountant must evolve in tandem. The question is no longer whether universities should adapt, but whether they can do it fast enough. The future of the profession — and Malaysia's sustainability leadership — may depend on the answer. *Zarina Zakaria is an Associate Professor at the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics, and may be reached at [email protected] **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
