KUALA LUMPUR: Strong cooperation between proactive developers, long-term investors, and diligent local authorities will make national sustainability policies possible, says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic).
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister emphasised that the transition to a greener economy requires a shift from isolated initiatives to a broad, nationwide movement.
He framed the government’s role as an “enabler” tasked with providing the “clear skies and the firm ground” necessary for growth but stressed that the private sector and local regulators must now bridge the gap between policy and practice.
“We need an ecosystem where everyone plays their part. We need developers who aim higher than the minimum standard, investors who look at long-term value over short-term gain, and local authorities who turn national policy into neighbourhood reality,” he said in his speech during the soft opening of International Sustainability Week 2026 (ISW 2026) yesterday.
He argued that the journey from ambition to action is already well underway, yet the country must focus on expanding efforts.
“What we need now is scale. We need to move from isolated ‘pilot projects’ to a nationwide movement that is visible in every street and every skyline,” he said.
Addressing the human element of environmental data, he reminded the audience that behind statistics showing that buildings contribute 39% of energy-related emissions lies a “human story” regarding how future generations will live.
He reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050, supported by a target to reduce emission intensity by 45% by 2030.
To support this transition, Arthur drew attention to the RM419.2bil allocated under the Madani Economy framework in Budget 2026.
