As Malaysia is navigating its way to an energy transition towards low-carbon energy sources, natural gas will play a pivotal bridging role for this transition, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Malaysia currently relies a lot on coal, with natural gas accounting for about 40% of the energy source for the power sector. For the energy transition, Muhyiddin said natural gas will provide a secure, affordable and sustainable baseload energy source in synergy with the growing but often intermittent renewable energy sources. "The long-term outlook for gas, however, is brighter than that of other fossil fuels because of its comparatively lower cost and lower emissions from production," he said when opening the International Energy Forum - International Gas Union Ministerial gas forum virtual roundtable. To achieve this transition, Muhyiddin said the Government is currently drafting a Natural Gas Roadmap (NGR), as part of the National Energy Policy (NEP), that will be announced during the first quarter of 2021. "The NGR among others strives to optimise the value of indigenous gas resources, enhance security of supply and access to cost-competitive gas, amongst others," he added. The roundtable dialogue involved Ministers and gas market stakeholders as they discussed inclusive and sustainable recovery plans from the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve shared goals in the gas industry.

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