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The Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) has urged the government to introduce the B20 biodiesel programme nationwide to put Malaysia on par with national biodiesel mandates in other countries, such as Indonesia, which has started its B35 programme in February, the Malay Mail reported.

Although the B20 programme was introduced in Malaysia in February 2020, to date it had only been rolled out in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Labuan and Sarawak, the MBA was quoted as saying on the day of the 22 March report.

“The MBA will continue to give our support and cooperation to the government in implementing the national biodiesel programme, including studies and fuel trials on using higher blends of palm biodiesel (beyond B20) and in the various sectors,” the association said.

The association’s statement was made in response to a Bloomberg report on 21 March, which quoted Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as saying that the government would implement the B20 programme in the transport sector in phases, the Malay Mail wrote.

The MBA said nationwide B20 implementation would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from diesel vehicles, helping Malaysia to reach its GHG reduction commitment made in 2015 during the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21).

“The use of biodiesel will also contribute to the savings in foreign exchange and a long-term solution as a renewable energy for Malaysia’s energy security,” the association added.