Anwar hails ASEAN Power Grid success, praises Vietnam's role in energy transition
Speaking at a joint press conference with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a five-day official visit to Malaysia starting yesterday, Anwar also expressed appreciation for Vietnam's strong support in advancing regional energy transition policies.
'All our programmes that we initiate, either in the context of multilateral ASEAN mechanisms or within bilateral Malaysia and Vietnam, you (Vietnam) have been very, very supportive.
'We not only pronounce but make impressive pronouncements on the gigantic projects or collaboration or diplomatic endeavour, but this time, we have been able to concretise it through effective programmes and projects, which is consistent with our energy transition policy for alternative energy for the ASEAN region,' he said.
Anwar had previously announced that Malaysia would spearhead the first phase of an ambitious regional power grid integration plan, linking Vietnam to both northern and southern Peninsular Malaysia, and eventually connecting it to Singapore via the Malaysia National Grid.
Anwar noted that Malaysia-Vietnam ties, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, have progressed rapidly, with tangible cooperation already in place across sectors such as agriculture (via MARDI), academia and maritime security.
While acknowledging that some challenges remain, Anwar said both nations have agreed to strengthen collaboration through joint operations and enhanced security arrangements.
He also commended Chinh's economic stewardship, describing Vietnam's progress under his leadership as 'phenomenal'.
'You (Pham) yourself are an economist; you have done remarkably well. Despite starting from a very low base after a period of devastation, but then in the few decades you have grown, and the transformation that has taken place is something that we admire, and there are certainly lessons we can learn from your experience,' he said.
Reflecting on his role in strengthening ties with Vietnam, Anwar recalled that during his tenure as Finance Minister in 1993, he facilitated the entry of Malaysian banks into the Vietnamese market, a move rooted in confidence in Vietnam's future.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
ICJ ruling demands climate leadership, energy transition
LETTERS: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has sent a strong message to the world: taking serious action on climate change is not just a good idea — it is a legal duty. In a landmark advisory opinion released on July 23, the ICJ confirmed that countries have clear obligations under international law to protect people and the planet from the impacts of climate change. While not legally binding, this determination by the Court carries weight. It will shape how governments, investors, companies and courts understand their responsibilities. And it puts Malaysia — as both a fossil-fuel-producing nation and a regional leader — under the spotlight. A critical element of the advisory opinion is its link between climate and human rights. "The full enjoyment of human rights cannot be ensured without the protection of the climate system," the Court said. In simple terms: we cannot live safe, healthy lives without a healthy environment. In Malaysia, we are already feeling the consequences of inaction. Floods are worsening. Heatwaves are more frequent. Haze disrupts daily life and harms health, especially for children. These aren't future threats — they are here, and the most vulnerable are hit first. So, what now? First, accelerate the energy transition. The government must end fossil fuel subsidies and redirect that money into renewable energy, public transport and support for workers in high-carbon industries. The transition must also be just — rural and lower-income communities need to benefit, not be left behind. According to the World Bank, Malaysia spent RM52 billion on blanket fossil fuel subsidies in 2022. Redirected to clean energy, that could fund 15 to 17 gigawatts of solar power — enough for over five million homes — or build thousands of megawatts of grid-scale battery storage to stabilise a renewables-powered grid. It could electrify rural areas, support transition funds for oil and gas workers, and modernise the national grid to meet future demand. In short, RM52 billion could kickstart a job-creating, emissions-cutting energy revolution. Second, regulate polluters. Companies must be held accountable for their emissions. Voluntary commitments and ESG talk are not enough. The ICJ has affirmed that governments must act to uphold their international legal obligations. And citizens, media and civil society must hold both government and business to account. Third, lead in Asean and beyond. Malaysia has a chance to shape regional climate action. We should push for shared rules across Southeast Asia on climate ambition, just transition, and environmental safeguards. The Asean 2045 Vision barely addresses climate change or fossil fuel dependency. That must change. If Asean is truly "people-centred", its vision must reflect a serious commitment to protecting its citizens — especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts. The ICJ advisory opinion gives the world a powerful tool to push for stronger, fairer climate action backed by international law. Sunway Centre for Planetary Health Sunway University, Malaysia
Barnama
7 hours ago
- Barnama
US Urges Ceasefire as Thai, Cambodian Leaders Head to Malaysia for Peace Talks
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged both Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate tensions and agree to a ceasefire over their ongoing border dispute. According to the US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio spoke with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to stress the importance of an immediate ceasefire. "Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump's desire for peace and the importance of an immediate ceasefire. The US is prepared to facilitate future discussions to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia," Bruce said in a statement that was made available on the department's official website. bootstrap slideshow Bruce said Rubio conveyed a similar message to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, reaffirming Washington's readiness to facilitate dialogue and peace efforts between both countries. In the latest development, Bernama reported that the Thai government has confirmed it will attend a regional peace consultation in Malaysia on Monday to discuss the escalating border conflict with Cambodia. Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, has invited the Thai leadership to discuss the Thai-Cambodian conflict. He added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will also attend the consultation at the invitation of the ASEAN Chair. The Thai delegation is scheduled to depart from the Royal Thai Air Force base at approximately 10.30 am, with the meeting set for 3 pm (Malaysian time). The border dispute between the two nations escalated on July 25, leading to armed clashes along Cambodia's northern border region.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said many of Sabah's demands were approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whereas previous leaders found difficulty in devolving power to the state. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal leader's disdain for the proposed 'Borneo Bloc' political cooperation led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah into supporting Anwar Ibrahim's formation of the unity government after the 2022 general election, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said today. Speaking at the annual convention of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, he said a former federal leader, whom he did not name, had dismissed the idea of Bornean cooperation. 'I was with Masidi Manjun and Jeffrey Kitingan in a meeting with a big leader over there (in Peninsular Malaysia) at the time. The person said they were the masters. He did not like the Borneo Bloc. He did not want us to share our experiences and stories with our neighbouring state of Sarawak,' he said. 'I was shocked by his words. I thought about them for a long time. What did they mean? What was his intent? As I thought about it, I lost heart (tawar hati) in these people,' he said in a video of his speech published on Facebook by Sabah Media. Hajiji said it was after much thought that he finally decided that GRS would support the unity government being formed by Anwar. Since then, he said Anwar's government 'has listened to our voices, and we have been treated well', and reiterated that GRS remained in support of the prime minister. Hajiji said many of Sabah's demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were approved by Anwar, as opposed to previous leaders who found difficulty in devolving power to the state. 'So what are we hoping for? If the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the unity government had successfully resolved nine key claims related to MA63, including power to regulate gas supply in Sabah, the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak, and guidelines on land reserved for federal purposes in the two states.
