Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir announced on Tuesday that the government has set up the Jawatankuasa Peringkat Tertinggi Biobahan Api, a high-level biofuel committee, to strengthen Malaysia’s energy security.
Speaking during a live Facebook briefing, Akmal said the committee was established to coordinate the nation’s biofuel agenda amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions and volatility in energy markets.
He said the move is part of the government’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Akmal noted that Malaysia remains vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel prices, making the development of alternative fuels an increasingly important policy priority.
Malaysia has long relied on a combination of conventional and alternative energy sources to safeguard supply security, including coal, natural gas, hydropower and renewable energy. Coal and gas remain the main contributors to the country’s electricity generation mix.
He said the new committee will act as a central coordination platform to improve decision-making across ministries and industries as the government assesses how biofuels can support existing energy sources under Malaysia’s wider energy transition plans.
Apart from fuel security, Akmal said the government is also promoting bio-organic fertiliser production as an alternative to conventional fertilisers to reduce import dependence and strengthen food security.
He added that the initiative could be expanded through a circular economy model under the 13th Malaysia Plan, where biomass, organic waste, agricultural by-products and other local resources are reused as inputs for fertiliser production.
According to Akmal, this approach would encourage sustainable farming, reduce waste and create new industrial opportunities.
No further details were provided on the committee’s leadership or when it will begin operations. There was also no media question-and-answer session after the briefing.
