Malaysia’s Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah stressed that domestic needs take priority in energy trade. (Photo: PETRA)
On July 30, Malaysia’s lower house of parliament passed the Electricity Supply Amendment Bill, strengthening regulatory controls over the import and export of electricity. Deputy Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, emphasized during the parliamentary session that the government would prioritize domestic electricity needs before considering exports.
Strict licensing, penalties for cross-border power trade
The newly passed amendment clearly states that companies are prohibited from importing or exporting electricity without a license. Unauthorized power trading could result in fines of up to RM30 million (about USD 7.04 million) and 10 years of imprisonment. Even licensed electricity traders could face penalties of up to RM5 million (about USD 1.17 million) and 3 years in jail for non-compliance.
