Deputy PM Fadillah urges global and local industry players to collaborate on innovative water solutions under Malaysia’s AIR 2040 framework
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called for increased collaboration between global industry players and water operators to develop climate-resilient solutions.
The Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation emphasised that deeper cross-sector partnerships are essential for accelerating Malaysia’s shift toward sustainable water management.
He highlighted a recent partnership involving Amazon Web Services, Air Selangor, Indah Water Konsortium and the Selangor state government as demonstrating effective federal-state alignment.
“This partnership is transformative,” Fadillah said in his opening remarks at the Joint Announcement of the Reclaimed Water Supply Projects for Malaysia.
“It stands as proof that when federal vision is aligned with state execution, we unlock solutions that bring real impact to people, industries and the nation.”
The use of reclaimed water for cloud operations positions Malaysia as a regional leader in sustainable digital infrastructure.
Malaysia becomes the second country in the AWS Region to utilise reclaimed water, following Singapore among regional neighbours Thailand and Indonesia.
Fadillah noted the collaboration aligns with broader national agendas under the 13th Malaysia Plan, Madani Economy and Water Sector Transformation 2040 (AIR 2040).
PETRA is strengthening guidelines and developing a comprehensive reclaimed water policy to support industries transitioning to sustainable water sources.
The government is also advancing green electricity access mechanisms for industries including data centres through various renewable energy schemes.
Responding to studies suggesting a potential water crisis within five to ten years, Fadillah dismissed such claims.
“That’s why we have launched AIR 2040,” he told reporters after the event.
“At the national level, this is the clear direction, but implementation requires close collaboration with the states because water falls under state jurisdiction.”
He stressed that Malaysia will remain resilient if all stakeholders comply with AIR 2040 guidelines.
“With full compliance, I believe we can ensure sustainability in terms of water supply, both for consumption and industrial needs,” Fadillah said. – Bernama
