Pasir Gudang: Malaysia is pushing forward with its plan to become a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by preparing to introduce a one per cent SAF blending mandate for international flights departing Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), reports New Straits Times.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the mandate — currently being finalised with the transport ministry and industry stakeholders — would form the core policy guiding Malaysia’s long-term shift toward low-carbon jet fuel. He said it also marked a significant step in the country’s aviation decarbonisation efforts.
Johari said Malaysia’s SAF strategy is supported by the Malaysia Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint (MADB) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), both of which map out phased pathways to reduce emissions and identify SAF as a priority fuel for the aviation sector.
“To reinforce the commitment, we are working closely with stakeholders to introduce an initial one per cent SAF requirement for flights out of KLIA,” he said during a working visit to the EcoCeres Renewable Fuels Sdn Bhd biorefinery in Tanjung Langsat today.
Johari’s visit included a briefing on EcoCeres’ progress since the facility began SAF production in October. The company is preparing to ship its first batch to customers before the end of the year.
EcoCeres co-chairman James Tam, who hosted the minister and senior officials, said the milestone reflected years of engineering work and Malaysia’s growing capabilities in renewable fuel technologies.
“Our progress reflects years of innovation, teamwork and commitment in advancing Malaysia’s renewable fuel capabilities,” he said, adding that the Johor plant would play a central role in supporting the country’s energy-transition and global decarbonisation agenda.
The EcoCeres plant in Tanjung Langsat is Malaysia’s first SAF biorefinery and has a licensed annual production capacity of 350,000 tonnes. Equipped with integrated control and laboratory systems, the facility is expected to create strong downstream benefits as airlines and fuel suppliers prepare for tighter international emissions rules.
Johari said the growth of the plant supported Malaysia’s strategy to build a competitive low-carbon industry, adding that SAF development would help strengthen the country’s agri-commodity and biomass sectors.
“With global aviation moving toward mandatory carbon-reduction targets, Malaysia must secure its position in the emerging SAF market,” he said.
