Matthew Barsing, Strategist and Director of EPS Consultants
Malaysia poised to lead in ASEAN’s clean energy race — if reforms deliver
By TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 – As Malaysia charts a bold new direction under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-13), one sector stands out as both urgent and transformative: green energy.
According to strategist and business leader Matthew Barsing, green growth should form the “centrepiece” of Malaysia’s long-term economic positioning under the new plan.
“Malaysia has the land, talent, and resources to become a regional green hub,” Barsing told TNS News. “Digital tech and halal trade have potential, but green energy is urgent, scalable, and globally aligned with ESG investment flows.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the RMKe-13 in Parliament on 31 July 2025, outlining a five-year strategy focused on economic restructuring, sustainability, inclusivity, and governance reform. At its core is the MADANI vision — a commitment to building a just, future-ready nation.
But for that vision to materialise, Barsing stresses that Malaysia must act swiftly to seize green sector leadership in Southeast Asia.
Green as an Economic Multiplier
Barsing, Director of EPS Consultants and a former FDI strategist with the Malaysian government, said green energy offers multiple layers of economic value — from industrial diversification and carbon credit markets, to job creation and global capital attraction.
“This is not just an environmental play. It’s industrial strategy,” he explained. “Green investments can reposition Malaysia as an ESG-compliant supply chain player in solar, bioenergy, hydrogen, and battery storage.”
His remarks align with the Plan’s commitment to accelerate energy transition pathways, improve carbon market frameworks, and invest in clean infrastructure.
Policy Reform Is the Enabler
While optimistic about sectoral potential, Barsing warned that execution remains the deciding factor.
“RMKe-13 is ambitious, but we need delivery mechanisms that bite,” he said. “That means real KPIs, clear funding pathways, and a politically backed delivery unit to unblock bottlenecks.”
He noted that green capital — particularly from global ESG funds — is highly sensitive to policy clarity, regulatory stability, and enforcement.
Fiscal Reform, Social Inclusion Must Support Green Shift
Barsing supports RMKe-13’s fiscal consolidation efforts, especially the rationalisation of broad subsidies in favour of targeted assistance. He believes this can free up fiscal space for green investments — while also protecting vulnerable households.
“Transparent reforms will boost confidence. Investors want long-term visibility. But success depends on how well the reforms are communicated and how inclusive the outcomes are,” he added.
On the social front, Barsing is adamant that innovation and equity can — and must — go hand in hand.
“Tech should enable inclusion. From skills access to clean energy deployment in rural areas, green growth must lift people up, not leave them behind,” he said.
Metrics That Matter: Tracking Reform Credibility
To measure whether institutional reform and anti-corruption efforts are truly progressing, Barsing proposes clear benchmarks:
- MACC prosecution and conviction rates
- Transparency International CPI ranking
- Public procurement reforms and asset declaration enforcement
- Merit-based hiring across civil service
- Whistleblower protection effectiveness
“Malaysia must move from promises to proof points,” he said. “That’s what will build trust — both at home and with investors.”
Malaysia’s ESG Advantage in ASEAN
Despite growing competition in the region, Barsing believes Malaysia retains strategic advantages that can be amplified through RMKe-13 — particularly in the green economy.
“We have a strategic location, cost-efficiency, a multilingual workforce, and sectoral strength in green energy and E&E,” he said. “If we deliver reforms with urgency, Malaysia can become a stable and investable green economy hub.”
About Matthew Barsing
Matthew Barsing is an Australian-born strategist, author, and business leader who has called Malaysia home since 2001. He serves as Director of EPS Consultants and authored Unleashing Malaysia’s Economic Potential. A former government advisor on foreign direct investment, he now champions economic reform, industry development, and bilateral trade through the Malaysia Australia Business Council (MABC).
– TNS NEWS