THE ASEAN Power Grid (APG) plays a vital role in strengthening regional cooperation among ASEAN member states, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said that as the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will focus on advancing the APG initiative to enhance energy security, accessibility, and affordability across the region.
Citing the recent gas explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1, he explained that the incident forced the temporary closure of gas pipelines, affecting local consumers and industries. However, timely assistance from Thailand helped mitigate the impact.
“People saw the incident as an isolated case, but the effects extended to the north. The gas supply from the south was disrupted due to the shutdown of the pipeline, which was necessary to prevent the explosion from spreading elsewhere,” he said.
“We are grateful to Thailand for stepping in and supplying gas to help support about 200 affected industries and consumers,” he added during a dinner reception and meet-and-greet session with Malaysians in the United Kingdom, held at the Malaysian High Commission in London on Friday.
The event was attended by 80 guests, including Malaysian students, government-linked company representatives, and High Commission staff.
Also present were Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the UK and Northern Ireland, Datuk Zakri Jaafar, Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s Chief New Energy Officer Mohd Zarihi Mohd Hashim, Sarawak Energy Bhd Group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, and officials from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA).
Fadillah stressed that Thailand’s support highlights the importance of the APG in enabling ASEAN nations to assist one another during emergencies.
“For instance, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos have strong wind resources that can be harnessed for energy generation. But when wind availability drops, other member states can step in to help.
“This is the kind of regional cooperation that ensures reliable and affordable energy supply. That is the essence of what we are working towards with the APG,” he said.
Fadillah is currently in London, having arrived from Türkiye on Wednesday to lead Malaysia’s delegation to the Energy Security Future Summit at Lancaster House, which began on Thursday and runs for two days. - April 26, 2025
