Malaysia’s TNB Celebrates 75 Years: PM Anwar Ibrahim’s Call for Sustainability, ASEAN Grid, and Income Equality

BANGSAR, KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed an audience at the 75th anniversary celebration of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at the Leo Moggie Convention Centre.

The event honored TNB’s achievements over seven decades and highlighted its future as a leader in sustainable energy, equitable growth, and regional connectivity.

Speaking with vision and conviction, Anwar called on TNB to not only focus on energy but to embrace a holistic approach to corporate responsibility that aligns with Malaysia’s broader goals for sustainability, income equality, and international cooperation.

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim outlined Malaysia’s ambitious energy transition plans, highlighting TNB’s essential role in shifting from coal dependency to renewable energy sources.

In his address, Anwar commended TNB’s proactive efforts in developing a more sustainable energy future, emphasizing the importance of balancing growth with environmental responsibility.

“The dependence on coal must shift as global demands dictate,” Anwar stated, recognizing the urgency of this transition.

With TNB’s leadership, Malaysia is moving toward a greener future that aligns with the global push for sustainable development.

Anwar praised TNB’s progress in adopting green technologies, such as the country’s largest floating solar project at Kenyir, which exemplifies the company’s commitment to renewable energy.

“TNB must continue to lead the way by building resilient, green infrastructure, like our solar projects and sustainable buildings, as we navigate the challenges of energy transition,” he said.

Anwar noted that TNB’s implementation of the “green building index” and “green lane pathway” are steps in the right direction, incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable practices that were once unheard of in the industry.

“This is the zeitgeist—the demand of our times. If we want Malaysia to succeed, we must be capable and resilient, ready to act quickly and courageously,” he urged, stressing the importance of adapting to global demands and preparing for a sustainable future.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged TNB’s commitment to advancing renewable energy in Malaysia through research and innovation.

He emphasized that TNB’s approach to energy transition must be both careful and effective, ensuring that Malaysia meets its sustainability goals while safeguarding energy security.

“I congratulate and thank TNB’s management for their thorough planning and innovative methods to ensure that the energy transition, or energy transition, proceeds smoothly and effectively,” he stated, highlighting TNB’s role as a leading force in Malaysia’s green energy transformation.

ASEAN Power Grid: Malaysia’s Vision for Regional Energy Integration

At the heart of Anwar’s address was a bold commitment to the ASEAN Power Grid, a regional initiative aimed at transforming energy networks across Southeast Asia.

As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, Anwar positioned the ASEAN Grid as a top priority for both Malaysia and TNB.

He described the grid as an ambitious project to create an interconnected energy network across ASEAN nations, enabling power transmission from energy-rich regions to industrial centers.

ASEAN Grid

“The ASEAN Grid is about linking energy networks across borders, facilitating the transmission of electricity from energy-rich areas like Sarawak to more industrialized hubs like Johor, and extending connections from Laos to Singapore, using Malaysia as a crucial transit point,” Anwar explained.

This cross-border energy integration, he added, would improve energy security and support sustainable development by making renewable energy accessible on a wider scale.

The project represents a massive undertaking, with multi-billion ringgit investments required and extensive collaboration between ASEAN nations.

“This is a major investment, and TNB, alongside other ASEAN energy companies, will be central in creating the infrastructure necessary to support these interconnections,” he stated.

The ASEAN Grid, he explained, “will allow us to balance energy loads across ASEAN, making energy more accessible, reducing costs, and integrating renewables more effectively.”

Balancing Growth and Sustainability: A Call for Equilibrium

Anwar’s vision extended beyond regional energy goals to encompass a sustainable, balanced approach to growth. Emphasizing the concept of equilibrium—a harmonious relationship between humans and nature—Anwar stressed that sustainable development must be central to Malaysia’s strategy.

Referencing Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s work, Man and Nature: The Spiritual Crisis in Modern Man, he highlighted the principle of balance as both a spiritual and environmental necessity.

“Equilibrium is not only about spiritual and physical harmony, but also about the equilibrium between man and nature,” he said, emphasizing that sustainability is a duty.

He further elaborated on the consequences of neglecting this balance, stating, “If we do not defend this balance, destruction follows through greed and exploitation of natural resources, resulting in damage to forests, rivers, and ecosystems.”

Anwar pointed to key environmental reports like The Limits to Growth and Barbara Ward’s Only One Earth to illustrate that unchecked industrial growth has serious limitations and environmental costs.

“These studies showed us the boundaries we must respect,” he said, adding that political and industrial decisions have too often prioritized profit over sustainability.

Anwar praised TNB for leading the way in Malaysia’s energy transition by reducing coal dependency and expanding into renewable energy projects, such as the country’s largest floating solar project in Kenyi.

“TNB must continue to lead the way by building resilient, green infrastructure, like our solar projects and sustainable buildings, as we navigate the challenges of energy transition,” he affirmed, underscoring that TNB’s shift toward sustainable practices is not just essential but exemplary.

Championing Income Equality: TNB as a Model for Equitable Corporate Practices

Prime Minister Anwar also addressed income inequality, applauding TNB for being the first government-linked company (GLC) to implement a comprehensive wage reform that aligns with the government’s broader commitment to reducing income disparities.

Anwar described a landmark policy that he recently introduced to adjust public sector pay scales, with an emphasis on helping those in lower income brackets.

“This is about addressing long-standing income disparities and creating a system that fairly rewards every level of work,” Anwar remarked, explaining that the new structure prioritizes more significant raises for lower-level employees while offering modest increases to senior management.

“The goal is to ensure that the gap does not widen excessively and that our economic gains are shared equally,” he added.

Anwar commended TNB’s leadership for their commitment to this initiative, noting that TNB had responded promptly to the government’s call by raising the minimum wage and overall income levels for employees.

“This is an example of how corporations can support government objectives, not only in profitability but in social responsibility as well,” he said.

Anwar emphasized that a company’s success should not be measured solely by profit margins but also by the well-being of its workforce.

“A successful company is one that can operate efficiently and profitably while also caring for the welfare of its employees at every level,” he stated.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that TNB’s initiative would inspire other GLCs and private sector companies to adopt similar wage reforms, making the Malaysian workforce more equitable.

He emphasized the importance of income equality and fair treatment in fostering a resilient and inclusive Malaysian economy.

A Vision for a Balanced and Prosperous Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s speech at TNB’s 75th anniversary was more than a celebration of a corporate milestone; it was a call for a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking Malaysia.

By championing the ASEAN Power Grid, advocating for sustainability, and promoting income equality, Anwar articulated a vision of Malaysia that leads by example, prioritizing social and environmental well-being alongside economic growth.

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