Low Carbon News in Malaysia in April 2014
Companies Urged To Adopt Energy Management Standards To Boost Productivity
Date: 28 March 2014
During the Industrial Energy Efficiency Open Day 2014, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed urged industries to adopt Energy Management Standards to increase productivity. 15 participating host factories received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Minister for their contribution in implementing the Industrial Energy Efficiency in the Malaysian Manufacturing Sector Project. He emphasised that by improving energy efficiency, it helps to cut utility usage which in turn lowering the business cost and at the meantime it contributes towards environment sustainability. It is becoming imperative nowadays as we are facing resource (water, electricity and natural gas) scarcity and utility rate is continuously increased. Malaysia’s Government keens to provide assistant to the industries in promoting energy efficiency.
Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has urged companies to adopt Energy Management Standards to increase productivity.
He said improved energy efficiency would translate into tangible cost savings and contribute towards environmental sustainability.
Mustapa said Malaysia was acutely aware of the challenges facing the industry in moving towards this goal, including limited awareness of energy efficiency techniques and lack of trained industry personnel.
“The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) recognised 15 local companies which are capable of providing energy management consultations,” he told a press conference after officiating the Industrial Energy Efficiency Open Day.
The event is organised by UNIDO in collaboration with MITI and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.
He noted that with a proper management system in place, companies could cut up to 30 per cent in energy usage, significantly lowering their cost of business.
Earlier in his speech, Mustapa said energy efficiency improvement in the manufacturing sector is imperative given the increasing business cost arising from higher utility tariffs.
“We no longer have the luxury to rely on an abundant supply of water, electricity or gas.
“While the Malaysian government will continue providing assistance to the industry in promoting the energy efficiency agenda, it is incumbent upon the industry itself to be more resourceful in moving towards this agenda,” he added.
Meanwhile, on MITI officer Sofuan Ibrahim, who was on board the ill-fated MH370 flight, Mustapa said the ministry had appointed an officer to be in constant contact with his family members.
“I contacted his family this morning. MITI has appointed an officer to liaise with the family, and they will update me soon,” he said.
Sofuan, who had served MITI since 2011, was sent to Beijing to be the Second Secretary for Economics.
References: http://www.mdbc.com.my/companies-urged-to-adopt-energy-management-standards-to-boost-productivity/
Prepared by: Teh Bor Tsong, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia