Malaysia today deepened its commitment to a just, inclusive, and investable low-carbon future at the “Driving the Green Energy Transition” MBSB’s Ministerial Luncheon Talk hosted by MBSB Group at M Resort & Hotel. Organised by MBSB Research, part of MBSB Investment Bank; the high-level gathering brought together senior government officials, business leaders, financiers, and key stakeholders to
forge actionable pathways supporting the country’s national energy transition ambitions.

The event was officiated by YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, who delivered the keynote address. He outlined Malaysia’s pragmatic approach to achieving net zero while ensuring that energy security and affordability remain central. “Malaysia’s energy transition must be pragmatic, people-centred, and equitable. No sector or community should be left behind,” said Dato’ Sri Fadillah.

He reaffirmed the country’s target to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix from 25% today to 70% by 2050 under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Dato’ Sri Fadillah also highlighted the critical role of finance in enabling the transition, noting that Malaysia will require an estimated USD143 billion in investments by 2050 to fund renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives, clean mobility, and climate-resilient infrastructure. He called for greater mobilisation of capital from both the public and private sectors and urged institutions like MBSB to expand their green
financing portfolios, particularly in areas such as SME decarbonisation, clean infrastructure, and cross-border energy investments under the ASEAN Power Grid initiative.

Delivering the opening remarks, Dato’ Wan Kamaruzaman Wan Ahmad, Chairman of MBSB Group, underscored the Group’s philosophy of embedding sustainability at the heart of its corporate strategy. “At MBSB, sustainability is not a standalone initiative. It is embedded into how we finance, how we govern, and how we grow,” he said. “The Ringgit must meet the real world – in solar farms, clean mobility, and circular economy projects that benefit both people and planet.” Dato’ Wan also shared the Group’s progress in 2024, including the mobilisation of RM4.75 billion in sustainable and transition-aligned financing. He highlighted pioneering transactions such as the financing of Malaysia’s first floating solar power plant, low-emission locomotives, and carbon-smart data centres.

In a significant development, the event also witnessed the formalisation of a strategic collaboration between MBSB and Cypark Resources Berhad to further advance the green transition agenda. The partnership aims to unlock new opportunities in renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and sustainable infrastructure development – demonstrating how financial institutions and project developers can work hand-in-hand to accelerate progress and scale impact.

To build on this momentum, MBSB outlined four anchor initiatives that will guide its sustainability roadmap through 2026. First, it will operationalise the Shariah & Sustainability Centre of Excellence – a living lab where scholars, data scientists, and fintechs co-create the next generation of Islamic green instruments before they reach the market. Second, the Group will publish a third party-verified baseline of its operational emissions, providing a clear foundation for future climate targets. Third, MBSB will roll out
a Client Transition-Support Programme, complete with sector-specific toolkits, advisory services, and preferential terms to help reduce financed emissions, starting with high impact sectors. And fourth, it will activate its people on the ground, committing to log 50,000 volunteer hours by 2030 in community and environmental initiatives, linking staff engagement directly to local impact.

The event drew participation from key stakeholders including MBSB’s major shareholders: the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), as well as corporate partners, media representatives, and notably, MBSB’s own clients and SME partners – who are essential players in accelerating the real economy’s shift towards sustainability. Their presence reinforced the role of inclusive finance in driving scalable, on-the-ground outcomes.

In closing, Dato’ Wan reiterated MBSB’s unwavering commitment to sustainable finance. “This is not about slogans or seasonal initiatives. We are financing Malaysia’s green future – one locomotion upgrade, one rooftop solar system, one waste-to-energy facility at a time.”