Energy Sustainability for Development in New Economic Region: Case Study of Malaysia
Farouk Abdul Khalid
Energy Sustainability for Development in New Economic Region: Case Study of Malaysia
| Sustainable energy remains the most critical factor for the well being of resource-rich Malaysia. The Vision 2020 is to turn Malaysia into a fully developed nation by the year 2020. This is to be achieved by sustaining healthy economic growth in the 21st century. The government has embarked on a large scale project to develop a strategic economic region called Iskandar. This project is guided by a document entitled Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the South Johor Economic Region. By the year 2025, Iskandar aims to position itself as “a strong, sustainable conurbation of international standing”. This study seeks to review the CDP content and then explore specific scenarios which may either improve or lessen the chance of success of the project in the context of energy sustainability. The challenge in realising the vision of Iskandar is particularly unique, as the country turns into a net energy importer during the critical development phase. Limited literature on Iskandar also provides a significant opportunity to explore new areas of improvement to reduce oil consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions without jeopardising growth in that region. The research question raised throughout this study is: What sustainable measures are required to meet the rising energy demand for land transport fuel in Iskandar, as domestic supply is fast depleting? The country’s transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy. After considering three distinct scenarios in Iskandar development, the significance of the study confirms the urgency of implementing and enhancing the CDP in order to ensure a smooth transition to clean and efficient energy with acceptance from the community. |
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