Malaysia (Commonwealth) _ According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia remains a solar panel logistics hub despite the United States‘ (US) increased tariffs on solar equipment originating from Southeast Asia.
He promised that several significant American businesses, with their headquarters in Malaysia, are re-exporting solar panel equipment, which includes electronics, semiconductors, and microchips, among other items, back to the United States.
“When it comes to this, I am not that negative. Regarding our policies, we aim to keep enhancing and promoting trade within ASEAN because inter-ASEAN trade is crucial.
Because of this, I think the logistics center is crucial for Malaysia,” he told reporters during today’s DHL Express Kuala Lumpur Gateway opening ceremony. Loke emphasized that Malaysia should constantly look for new prospects and not rely just on one market.
Speaking about Malaysia’s recent admission as a BRICS partner nation, Loke stated that this move gives Malaysia access to new markets.
The Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, among other pertinent ministries, is, he continued, “taking the necessary steps to ensure that Malaysia’s exports and businesses are not affected.” He emphasized that Malaysia is a strong exporter of solar panels and should think about diversifying into other consumer goods.
In order to safeguard its own industry, the US already declared a tax increase on solar equipment supplied from Southeast Asia. Following preliminary findings of improper government subsidies used to create solar equipment sold by businesses in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the US Commerce Department announced higher taxes on solar equipment exported by these four nations.
With a target of 70% renewable energy by 2050 and an abundance of sunlight, Malaysia has a lot of potential for solar power.
In keeping with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050, housing developers are urged to include solar panels on the rooftops of new housing developments.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sime Darby Property Bhd has taken the lead in implementing a rooftop solar pilot project in its most recent real estate development.
Installing rooftop solar panels is part of this scheme, which will return electricity to the grid. During an oral question-and-answer session in Dewan Rakyat on Monday, he stated that the refunds would be distributed, including to homeowners.
He was answering a follow-up query about efforts to promote rooftop solar panel installations in housing projects from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Perikatan Nasional-Kubang Kerian).
According to Fadillah, who is also the minister of water transformation and energy transition, the project’s success would serve as a foundation for implementation across the nation.
According to Fadillah, the government is continuing the e-Rebate program with RM70 million from Budget 2025 to promote energy efficiency and help low-income groups.
According to him, the reimbursement will be available to customers who buy certified appliances with ratings of five or four stars.
They can claim it from Seda, Malaysia’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority. It is intended that this program will help individuals in need in addition to raising awareness of energy conservation,” he stated.
He was answering a follow-up inquiry about initiatives to encourage the people, particularly the lowest 40% of earners, to utilize energy-efficient electrical equipment from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (Barisan Nasional-Paya Besar).
An e-Rebate of up to RM70 million is set aside in Budget 2025 to incentivize businesses and households to buy energy-efficient electrical equipment. An industry leader predicts that the US’s decision to increase tariffs on solar equipment shipped from Southeast Asia in order to safeguard its own industry will reduce demand for Malaysian-made goods.
The US Commerce Department announced increased tariffs on solar equipment from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia on Wednesday. The action was prompted by the US Commerce Department’s first findings of unfair exploitation of government subsidies to manufacture solar equipment marketed by businesses from the four countries.
After the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee complained about the low-cost imports that threatened to destroy the US solar industry, US officials opened an anti-dumping inquiry on solar equipment supplied from Southeast Asia on May 15.
