Malaysia is facing increasing physical risks from climate change as the El Nino phenomenon is expected to persist until early 2027, placing the nation’s water reserves, public health system and key economic sectors under mounting pressure.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the prolonged weather pattern could result in rainfall levels dropping by between 40 and 60 per cent in several parts of the country.
He stressed that climate change is no longer a future concern but a present-day reality, pointing to a series of major floods, coastal erosion incidents and recent extreme heatwaves that saw temperatures soar to 37.5 degrees Celsius.
According to Arthur, the impact is being felt across critical industries, including energy-intensive regional data centre hubs as well as major agrocommodity sectors such as palm oil plantations and paddy farming.
He said businesses and communities must move away from the outdated perception that green transition initiatives are merely an added financial burden, describing them instead as essential investments for a healthier society, greener cities and a more competitive export-driven economy.
Speaking at the launch of the “Weave The Future – ASEAN Youth Climate Action 2026” programme today, Arthur said the transition towards green energy has also become an important national security priority amid growing global uncertainty surrounding fossil fuel supplies.
He noted that Malaysia is accelerating the implementation of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) while playing a leading role in efforts to develop the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to strengthen regional energy security.
At the international level, he said Malaysia continues to leverage its status as a megadiverse nation to advocate for fair climate financing from developed countries and push for stronger enforcement of a global plastics agreement.
Arthur also called on ASEAN youth to step forward as environmental champions rather than remain passive observers in the fight against climate change.
“The government cannot drive this structural transition alone. Policies, carbon taxes and power grids will only succeed if supported by a generation equipped with sustainability-focused skills and expertise,” he said.
Quoting former United States president Barack Obama, Arthur reminded young people that they are the first generation to experience the effects of climate change and the last with the opportunity to address it, urging them to take up that responsibility for the future.
