Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger preparedness and energy transition in response to rising climate crisis threats and regional haze.
SERDANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that the climate crisis is increasingly putting lives, livelihoods and food security at risk, urging Malaysia to prepare for threats beyond its control while acting decisively on those within its reach.
He said extreme weather events, including severe haze and major floods underscored the need for stronger preparedness and a faster transition towards cleaner energy.
“The world cannot always be under control. These are things that we cannot predict, but for things that we can plan for properly, we must do so,” he said when closing the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2026 here yesterday.
Anwar said climate change was among the issues he discussed with former United States vice-president Al Gore before attending the event.
In a statement later, Anwar said their discussion focused on global climate change challenges, particularly as Malaysia grapples with haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia.
He said they also discussed Malaysia’s efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
“I also invited Al Gore to visit Malaysia in the near future to continue our discussions and explore more meaningful areas of cooperation in addressing climate change and accelerating the country’s energy transition agenda.”
Anwar said he had also discussed the severe haze in Sarawak, where the APl in Serian had exceeded 500.
He said the situation had affected public health and safety, as well as agricultural production and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the land.
He also cited major flooding in Nepal and changes involving glaciers in the Himalayan region as examples of climate-related risks that could have devastating consequences.
Anwar said Malaysia was responding by pursuing an energy transition and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and coal.
He also highlighted regional energy cooperation, including discussions with the Sarawak government on transmitting electricity generated in the state through an undersea route to Sedili, Johor and onwards to Singapore.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he had contacted former Indonesian president Joko Widodo, who was in Penang to attend the Penang Peace Dialogue.
Anwar said he apologised for being unable to meet Widodo in person due to his previously scheduled engagement with farmers, livestock breeders, planters and the agro-community at Maha 2026.
He said they exchanged news in a cordial conversation, while he also conveyed Malaysia’s solidarity with Indonesians following the volcanic disaster and haze affecting the country.
“Malaysia and Indonesia are not merely neighbouring countries, but two kindred nations bound by history, culture and close ties of brotherhood.”
Anwar said agriculture and food production remained a key national priority even as Malaysia pursued its broader economic and energy transition.
He also called for stronger follow-up to investments, business and trade generated by Maha 2026, saying good policies and programmes would have limited impact without effective implementation.
