KUALA LUMPUR — The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, has urged ASEAN member countries to focus on building a strong and unified energy ecosystem before pursuing regional power trading.
Speaking at a panel discussion on energy transition during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today, the Premier emphasised that ASEAN must first create the right foundation and framework before moving towards energy market integration.
“I think before we want to ‘run’, let us have the ‘field’ first and then establish your ecosystem, because power is a commodity that is being traded,” said Abang Johari, highlighting the importance of preparing the groundwork before taking larger regional steps.
He stressed that a robust regulatory framework and proper governance system are essential to ensure transparency and efficiency in cross-border energy trade.
Drawing parallels to Europe, Abang Johari pointed to the Nordic and European Union (EU) model as a successful example of integrated electricity trading.
“The best model that we can study is power trading between the Nordic countries and the EU. They supply power through submarine cables and eventually have a spot price for power in the exchange,” he explained.
Once an ecosystem and regulatory structure are established, the Premier believes that ASEAN’s journey towards regional power integration will be smoother and more sustainable.
On future energy sources, he encouraged ASEAN nations to explore new and cleaner technologies beyond traditional renewables. He mentioned that while nuclear energy remains a controversial topic, fusion energy could offer a safer and more efficient solution.
“There is new technology – fusion energy – that is being developed now. That’s why I was talking about hydrogen,” he added.
Abang Johari also reminded participants that the global shift towards clean energy is driven primarily by the urgency to combat climate change and move away from fossil fuels.
“The basic issue is climate change. The next issue is for you to replace fossil fuel and that’s what we are doing now, to mitigate the warming of the temperature we are facing,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the Premier expressed optimism about ASEAN’s energy future, saying that cooperation, planning, and the right foundation would eventually make the region’s integrated power grid a reality.
“I think what ASEAN can do is establish that ecosystem first, then have a common platform to power ASEAN. You can see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The panel also featured Winfried Wicklein, Director General of the Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB); Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin bin Megat Hassan, President and CEO of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB); and Le Manh Cuong, Vice President of PetroVietnam. The session was moderated by Dato Ir. Ts. Abdul Razib Dawood, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy.
