KUALA LUMPUR: Renewable energy projects will be only for those with viable proposals and not my relatives, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
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He said that the government will not hesitate to help those interested in joining the renewable energy sector.
“We will help as much as possible, but the amount of support from the government is not as big as before.
“Before, we were starting, before, people don’t even know the business. Now, people know very well that there are a lot of opportunities for business in the renewable energy sector.
“So, if they come up with proposals and they are viable proposals, we will support them,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said that it is not true that in his past tenure as the fourth prime minister, such projects were given to cronies, which included his relatives.
“I reject the suggestion that players getting the renewable energy projects are held by my relatives. They now don’t even talk to me because I never help them.
“The fact is that we have to give to somebody. When we give, you always say this is crony – then we don’t have to give anybody else, so that you can’t say anything. If you don’t give anybody at all, the country cannot progress. Please remember that,” said Dr Mahathir.
“(The ones who get the projects) not necessarily, (they need to be) my son in laws. I will not give to them – I will ask for your certification,” Dr Mahathir said jokingly.
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Earlier, Dr Mahathir said that the country is committed to ensuring that 20 percent of energy generation will be from renewable sources.
However, he said this does not include another 20% of power generation via hydroelectric plants.
“Hydroelectric is also renewable energy – but if you include that, it will be about 40%
“We are making good progress in that direction, and we are urging the private sector to take part in new businesses generated by renewable energy sector,” said Dr Mahathir.
He further pointed out that Malaysia is one of the world’s biggest manufacturer of good quality solar panels.
“We even supply to the United States. We can increase the export of solar panels as we go along. This is the direction we have taken and committed to,” said Dr Mahathir.
The Prime Minister was speaking to the media after launching the International Greentech and Eco Prodicts Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (iGEM) 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur Concention Centre here on Thursday (Oct 10). – The Star