Newly Elected Committee Members of MAESCO for 2014-2016

Congratulation to all who have been elected again to step up to the challenge in promoting significant of Energy Efficiency(EE) to the nation,  business communities and to all Malaysians and to continue  working to all parties to develop energy efficiency industry.

MAESCO was born since 2001 and has come across and involved in various EE initiatives by government and private sectors in Malaysia. Details on objectives and other information about MAESCO is available at www.maesco.org.my.

I have been a committee member of MAESCO through an election in 2012 and later assigned to be responsible for the Government Liaison portfolio and believe that was due to my prior  involvement  with MAESCO since my time at Energy Commission, KeTTHA and lastly SEDA Malaysia in many EE initiatives.

Elected Committee members of MAESCO for 2014-2016.

ESCOs are business entities and like a typical industry association, MAESCO's prime objectives are mostly with regard to the development of energy services industry that will benefits its members. However, with the current EE industry scenario, there has been little progress that will create more interests for more players to  venture seriously into this industry. With little options left, most members have to opt to offer other services and products for them to stay afloat and remain profitable as companies.

The common perception is, who would not be interested to save energy since that will be something good to any company or to anyone. That was the same impression that I had when I chose my career in EE many years ago but is it that simple and straight forward?

It is not and challenges and resistance that we have been facing over the years have been converted into more positive energy where we are  aware that still there are plenty for us to do to ensure EE will be  in the mainstream as attractive and productive industry to be in.

Today on 5 May, 2014 at Saujana Hotel, Subang , me and fellow EE practitioners and industry players were elected again for the term of 2014 to 2016 to soldier on pursuing EE agenda with our best efforts and commitment for EE industry  for better and greener Malaysia.

Here I would like to share some photos from the event where beside the 13th AGM, MAESCO has also launched the publication titled Energy Audit Guidelines which was written by MAESCO members itself. Before the launching, there were also specially invited guess speakers who shared some updates of some energy efficiency projects by the government from JKR.

Program agenda

Keynotes and welcoming speech by the President

Launching gimmick by En. Elmi from Energy Commission

The cover of the energy audit guideline

My role was to recite the prayer before the event started

Updates on BSEEP from Dato' Ir. Dr. Roslan from JKR

Dialogue with Ir. Hamizan on EPC from JKR

The start of the AGM by the President

Election on new committee members

With all MAESCO members' representatives

OBJECTIVE vs. INEFFECTIVE

Bismillahhirrahmannirrahim.

1. My concerns  on the progress of EE implementation in the country  through my sharing of thoughts at online media have been seen translated into personal attack by  some officials in the ministry.Hiding behind the ministry, these officials have been  trying to assassinate my character by labeling me as someone who love hitting the ministry.

2. However,interestingly, I have never heard from any of them on the actual reasons why they accused me for such. I heard it in recent weeks , more intensified efforts to discredit the validity of issues that I have been raising about EE instead of looking into it objectively.

3. So, instead of to respond, "they" are  now decided to use the ministry to be defensive because it is very crystal clear that as long as I keep raising issues related to strategic EE implementation for Malaysia, all eyes will come back to them and that will also show how much they have not doing their jobs as officials responsible for EE related policies  to be put forward  to government through the ministry.

4. We have been very  objective and consistent but now have to face a defensive mindset where they must right all they (regardless how incompetent, ineffective and childish they have shown in their responses so far).

5. We know who you are  and please stop behaving like a child and start to do your works because EE is not about you and we do not care so much on what are  your personal goals and agenda in the ministry because the ministry is belonged to the rakyat. A rakyat like me, I believe I have  all the rights to raise my  concerns  when you are not doing your job.

6. .I have no chance to defend myself or to explain myself when my personality has been attacked in recent weeks.With literally no personal contacts personal relationship with any top gun in the government related to energy  related agencies  or having a prominent position in any organization as a president or whatsoever, I have no chance to convey my side of  the story.Thanks again to the creators of internet and online media platforms.

7 .Out of nothing, some people who I have never close or know them in person being told that I am the one who has been always hitting the ministry of energy, green technology  and water.

8. I see their responses on EE  issues that have also been raised by many and not only me as something very strange because I have also posted some of my concerns on energy efficiency issues at many other online platforms of many other leaders too. I have posted some concerns in the blog of a minister, facebook pages of PM, DPM, other ministers and also some high ranked government officials but I have never come across responses like shown by these officials  the  through the ministry itself.

9. Why these officials are taking it too personal  and launched attacks on me when I have never attacked their personal matters or life . After all, I have never hidden myself and readily available for me to explain every single issue related to  EE that I have been raised in all my postings at online media or in legitimate printed publications.To the certain extent I am also puzzled on their efforts to bring down an ordinary person like me by using their high level circles and channels at the ministry. 

10. I left the government services at three agencies at my own accord with no reasons at all for me to personal hold grudges with anyone since they do not owe me anything to me and I do not owe them anything too. But...some people did remind me, people would hate other people telling them what they are supposed to do and what they are not willing to do although that is what they are actually paid to do.Yes, it may be right but I am alright with that if they are running their personal business or something to do with their personal belongings and not when you are being paid by to rakyat to serve the rakyat  to do the right thing for the country.

11. What have made them so upset with me until they have to opt to such a childish and unprofessional tactics to damage my image? Who am I until they are so worry to ask me personally on issues that I raised for further explanation or what need to be done? I do not have powers, not being backed by any "god father", has no position and Malaysians do event know who am I too!

12. I reviewed  all my write ups in this blog and other media such as my linkedIn and facebook posts and I come to a conclusion that I have been very consistent on the issue that I have been raising since many years.It  has been way back when I was serving the the government until today.

13. My concerns are all about the need to have a strategic plan at national level for energy efficiency.Why is that? I guess I have explained all my arguments and justifications in many posts in my blog. In the same time, I also noticed that, when I share more about all that, roles and responsibilities  that need to be played by some agencies in the government especially energy related  agencies will be touched as well.This is where I guess some people feeling not comfortable where issues that I raised may indicate some perception that they are not doing their job.

14. With some of my knowledge due to my involvement in certain subjects on issues that I raised when I was working in the government and coupled with the current development of the progress of EE as I see it as an industry player I decided to continue sharing my thoughts and possible ways on how we can move EE forward for the betterment of the country.

15. Since now I am being attacked, it will be only logical for me to defend myself by telling all my side's of story and why I am so puzzled on why these officers have to use the ministry to come against me.I wondering what are they trying to achieve and what good that can do for EE in Malaysia by  doing that. Why they are trying to convert EE issues into a personal issue?

16.Who are they? I guess for  the people in EE fraternity, they know who are in the hot seat when I keep raising issues related to the main subject of argument, the need for Malaysia to have a holistic and comprehensive plan to implement EE to ensure EE can be implemented strategically with all key elements in place for a sustainable implementation. I call it as the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan.It's pretty straight forward, more I speak up, more they are  seen not fulfilling their responsibilities.

17. I guess the "clash" between majority of EE stakeholders and the ministry emerged when EE stakeholders like EE industry players,professional and industrial associations and other government agencies are pushing for a plan based on studies and recommendation by professional, experts and references from international best practices.However the ministry, from the end of 2011 in exact is trying to ignore all inputs from all stakeholders and trying to come out with a plan according to their own definition and personal thoughts of only their own officers

18. If you look at all my posts, all are circulating on the same questions. 

• JUSTIFICATIONS ON WHY NEED A HOLISTIC EE PLAN  FOR MALAYSIA

• RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REFERENCES TO STUDIES BY EE EXPERTS AND INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES ESPECIALLY IN EE GOVERNANCE

• WHY INPUTS FROM ALL OF US SINCE 2009 AND RECENT RESPONSES TO THE SO-CALLLED NATIONAL EE ACTION PLAN  ARE IGNORED UNTIL TODAY?

• WHY THERE HAVE BEEN NO AVENUE FOR ANY DIALOGUE OR MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS SINCE 2011 UNTIL TODAY DESPITE OUR REQUEST FOR THAT?

• WHY IGNORED KEY ELEMENTS THAT NEED BE IN ANY NATIONAL LEVEL EE PLAN AS BEING PROVEN WORKABLE IN MANY COUNTRIES WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN EE IMPLEMENTATION

• IS THE MINISTRY IS THE ONLY WHO KNOWS BEST FOR EE IN MALAYSIA? IF YES, WHY ENGAGED  CONSULTANTS TO CONDUCT STUDIES AND INVITED STAKEHOLDERS FOR INPUTS THROUGH SEMINARS, WORKSHOP AND DIALOGUES SINCE 2009 UNTIL 2011?

• WHY SUDDENLY THE MINISTRY HAS CHANGED ITS TONE ON EE AFTER NEW OFFICERS TOOK OVER RESPONSIBILITIES ON EE IN THE MINISTRY FROM 2011

• WHY THE MINISTRY'S OFFICIAL KEEP CONTRADICTING THEIR OWN STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION SHARED IN MEDIA AND ALSO PARLIAMENT?

19. Below are the links and printed materials on  some of my posts, thoughts and suggestions  related of national EE Master plan and strategic approaches for EE  for everyone to read and all can  tell me on which part I am so-called personal attack to the ministry  or these officials other than about my concerns on EE for the country.

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-billion-ringgits-losses.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/09/halangan-halangan-dalam-melaksanakan.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/07/lessons-can-be-learned-from-our.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/04/ee-education-and-latest-announcement-on.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/03/interesting-statements-and-news-related.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-we-need-strategic-planning-for.html

http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/02/one-quiet-year-for-ee-in-malaysia.html

20. Is wrong for me to ask all those questions and what make it so difficult the ministry to look at it objectively and start to work together to move forward with all of us out here?

21. Why at some stages I was and now being attacked just because I have been standing up just due to my concerns on how EE  to be implemented in my own beloved country.

22. In general, since 2012 until today, almost "nothing" significant for strategic EE implementation for the country. While other neighbors  are going "big" with commitment from then government in EE, under the ministry or I would say with the influence  of these officers in the ministry the followings happened:

• The introduction of a holistic national EE master plan has been delayed despite few promises made by the ministry by the secretary general  her media statement and later to be replace with the so -callled National EE Action Plan( details of my comments on the plan is at http://energy-saving-malaysia.blogspot.com/2014/02/inputs-and-feeback-to-ketthas-draft.html with many other feedback from stakeholders). To refresh, I attached below some of those promises.

• The drafting of a dedicated EE act as a apart of one the  highly recommended elements in any national EE plan which already started from end of 2011, abruptly stopped in the end of 2012 without any explanation despite involvement of stakeholders in the period in between for meetings, workshops, seminars and members in committees and drafting groups.

• Official requests through letters and memorandum by key stakeholders fro industry players  to seek explanation and discussions have been denied with no response at all from the ministry.

23. It is very clear in a typical line of communication or command in any agency where any correspondence  or issue raised to the top through letters or any form of documentation to the top either to the minister or the secretary general to minuted to responsible officers and later for them to come back with their assessment and key points for the higher level officers or the top management to deliberate further for decision making or for further action.

24. In the ministry of energy, green technology and water, it was made know to stakeholders that officers in charge for EE are used to be in the sustainable energy division. However I could find the division at the current organization chart from the ministry's website.

25. A check at the ministry informed us that at present, the responsibilities of EE related matters is now being placed  under the Regulatory and Industry Development Section which is headed by an under-secretary  as shown in the  red box  above.

26. However, in the current line of command, I am very sure to whom officers in-charge for EE will report to whenever issues related to EE especially on the national EE master plan subject raised by stakeholders , industry players or the public in general.

27. At some stages from 2011, these are some unfortunate twists that  happened to me:

• When I was asked by anyone from the top management in the ministry at the period I was seconded from ST from January until August 2011, I always gave all answers on any subject related to EE that I knew or within my scope of works in  good faith. As a result I was slandered by the official that I trusted as someone who will digest it objectively. That has caused a bad relationship between me and my boss from the agency that I was still their personnel. This happened just after I was asked to be honest about some matters on EE and shared with a high ranked official at the ministry  on  the progress of EE related  information with printed documents to support what I mentioned in that conversation. The truth only revealed when I personally met my boss and cleared the air.It was a truly self shocked to me face what had happened but finally I decided to  just move forward after that.

• When I left the government fully in Feb 2012, I was slandered again by the same official with the accusation that I left the agency that I worked within 24 hours notice abruptly and  just like that. That another lie from the same official  was circulated within the EE industry and finally reached me by some people who was shockingly told me it was directly said to him by that official. The fact was  my resignation was approved by the board members in the agency with a 1 month notice as stipulated in an employment contract that I signed and this official was truly aware about that.

28. In all the above disappointing incidents in my career, I knew who did that but I just ignored all that and move forward.Now, the same people in coming after me again and joined  by a very few officers who have been so reluctant to consider inputs and feedback on EE issues from outside the ministry.

29. I do not know how far it is but in general, I have been receiving strong supports from whom who understand issues that I have been raising and most of them acknowledged what I have been trying to pursue even from the time I was still serving in the government.

30. Dear......... and .................., my message to you is very simple...
It is up to you to  hide your personal grouses against me due to my consistent pursue on EE for my beloved country under the "skirt" of being government because more you do that, more you will drag the ministry to cover up your ignorance, arrogance and incompetency. I am also keen to see for how long the YB Minister or YB Deputy Minister will continue leaving all of you using the ministry as the shield to play your personal agenda and efforts to stop our voices out here. We will see...because you can stop us from talking to you and the ministry by closing all doors from manipulating  powers and positions entrusted to you but  you cannot stop us from doing what we believe is the right thing for the country.

31. One day you will lose your positions and powers in the government but we won't lose our desire and commitment to carry on. One day people or the rakyat will know what you have done and what you have been hiding too because life will have its cycle that will come back to you. You do not have to worry about me because I am not arrogant or dishonest like you and will not play the game for my personal gains like you too. I can only wish you to have a good health and all best in doing what you are good at throughout your career in life.

32. Some good friends and fellow industry players have reminded me that I must be careful too now because we will never know what they might do next that may harm me and my livelihood. I do appreciate their concerns and the only reasonable and practical thing for me to do is....TO CARRY ON.
I believe in my god Allah and may Allah keep giving me strength every second to continue and protecting my life for good things that I am trying to do.Amin.

What happen to the public feedback on the so-called MEEAP/NEEAP?

The deadline was on 28 February 2014 and now is 1 May 2014. About two months and still no single news on what happen to all feedback send to the ministry. No meetings or dialogues with any external party as well.

It has been almost a year since it was announced to the press in April last year the NEEMP will be ready by June 2013 before suddenly it would be a public consultation where finally and quietly the so-called NEEAP uploaded at the website for one month.

and now... Energy Efficiency measures are still being implemented like we did it since 20 years ago...bit by bit here and there based on project approaches where finally no one really accountable to tell the rakyat the actual and confirmed results despite RM millions spent.

When  other governments in this region have taken Energy Efficiency as national strategic measures, Malaysia still busy  focusing only to supply more and more energy. The worst thing is, energy efficiency is being placed under the responsibility  government personnel who do not really care on how important it is for the country or how urgent it could be.

 
While other governments are working hand in hand with inputs and open to suggestions by various stakeholders and industry players, in Malaysia all that being put on deaf ears and denied. It is all about only their own personnel know best but with nothing to show to the rakyat  on what exactly their better solutions and results that have been achieved.

Now a normal rakyat like me is being targeted for speaking up on what are the shortcomings and solutions that have been there lying on the floor to be picked up.

We will see...how much more they will try to shut me up or to deny my rights to speak  up. Bring it on and I want to see how far  they will hide behind the government posts and continue to act like a coward plus continue wasting the public money by not doing their  own jobs!
You know what? I will continue to do mine....