KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is developing an internationally recognised green building certification, modelled after the global success of its halal certification, through a strategic partnership with the University of Cambridge, says Nga Kor Ming.
"We are working with the University of Cambridge to produce a new green building standard.
"We want to produce a green building standard that is recognised internationally, similar to our halal certification.
"Developers from other countries can use Malaysia's green building certification when seeking more favourable bank financing aligned with ESG aspirations," the Housing and Local Government Minister said after opening the Asean Real Estate Conference (Arec) 2026 and Archidex 2026 here on Thursday (July 30).
He said developers adopting the certification could enjoy greater recognition internationally while strengthening confidence among homebuyers and investors.
Malaysia currently has about 800 million sq ft of green-certified buildings, reflecting growing awareness of sustainability across the built environment sector, he said.
To further accelerate the transition, Nga said all future Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR) projects would incorporate renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting facilities and other environmentally friendly features.
He said younger homebuyers place great emphasis on sustainability when purchasing homes, with many considering green features and energy-efficient designs before making their decisions.
Nga said Malaysia was collaborating with the university under the proposed UK-Cambridge Malaysia Urban Platform, combining international expertise with Malaysia's urban development experience to develop the new certification.
He said the initiative formed part of broader housing reforms aimed at creating more sustainable communities while strengthening Malaysia's position in the regional green building industry.
