Feb 2013...on 16 February 2013...it will be one year after I left the government.
After one year, the decision to leave was absolutely right because in one year...almost no progress made and the move has been going backward instead in the government in term of sustainable implementation of EE...
Why? Only few people with the authorities and roles to play within their scope of duties could answer the questions.
- First...they did not have the intention and bravery to champion the National EE policy and master plan to be forwarded at the highest level.
- Second, then they stopped the drafting of the highly recommended law for EE which is a dedicated Act to regulate EE implementation in Malaysia with unclear reasons.
- Third.. they made the efforts under ETP to encourage private investments to implement big scale EE projects in government buildings through energy performance contracting faced with very bureaucratic process which finally they came up with "useless" requirements for qualifying ESCOs for the implementation. Instead of making the targeted groups become more receptive to adopt the concept, they are now confused on what is next with the change of hands in leading the initiative...under the directive of the ministry that triggered by individuals who did not have the clue on how it was started.
So, I would conclude it as....a very quiet and backward development in EE strategically in Malaysia in the last one year for the government.
They can shout about the success story of SAVE rebate program when it exceeded the KPIs but is that all?
How all the above affects the EE industry players and potential EE targeted market?
People and organizations that have been regularly involved in all the above three main issues are left puzzled! What is exactly government is trying to do....in particular where is the ministry is trying to lead us?
At some points in processes involved in the above three, they were so excited to invite all of us from the industry to give inputs and suggestions....telling us that they were trying to move forward with more sustainable implementation framework. So, everyone was very excited to contribute too and committed to play their roles in assisting the government to move forward. Then, countless man hours spent voluntarily by EE experts, professionals, practitioners and etc from various bodies and also government agencies through many consultations, dialogues, forums, meetings and discussion.
In fact the draft National EE master plan was also reviewed and commented by many well known and established experts in EE from Japan, Denmark and APEC EE review team.All of these experts gave positive comments and other recommendations to improve it.
At some points in processes involved in the above three, they were so excited to invite all of us from the industry to give inputs and suggestions....telling us that they were trying to move forward with more sustainable implementation framework. So, everyone was very excited to contribute too and committed to play their roles in assisting the government to move forward. Then, countless man hours spent voluntarily by EE experts, professionals, practitioners and etc from various bodies and also government agencies through many consultations, dialogues, forums, meetings and discussion.
In fact the draft National EE master plan was also reviewed and commented by many well known and established experts in EE from Japan, Denmark and APEC EE review team.All of these experts gave positive comments and other recommendations to improve it.
...at one stage..early 2011..until middle 2011...it looked like we would be finally kick-off but then...the above three major disasters for EE started to build up and now wrapped up.
What is next?
One thing I believe is...we could not fault the YB Minister for this. I would say this again...he just been advised wrongly by some officers in the ministry who have been trying to discredit almost all good works by the team and people before.
One thing I believe is...we could not fault the YB Minister for this. I would say this again...he just been advised wrongly by some officers in the ministry who have been trying to discredit almost all good works by the team and people before.
Why I said that?
First...the instruction to review the master plan or to hand it over to any other agency to finalize the document has never been made official.It was only heard from mouth to mouth and at meetings, events or discussion which did not involve him. They may thought their did it very quietly but they may also forgot how small is our energy sector especially EE field.We always communicate and exchange information and updates for the benefits of EE industry players in many events or occasions either formal or informal.
I would not say the draft National EE master plan document was perfect but I do not feel anyone in the ministry now really took the time to digest and review it objectively. Then to understand it or to call people from organizations who were involved in the process from the start to share on what are not so right in the plan and how to improve it. Everything has been done under the blanket with personal judgement and opinions of a very few individuals which I doubt their level of knowledge, experiences and exposure in EE implementation.
What I know is, they called for a meeting with one of the lead experts together with key persons involved in the preparing the document, then this expert and persons were bashed by a junior officer in front of the much senior officers. Then they asked other experts and people who were not involved from another agency to review the documents and also some experts were involved the the document too from the beginning.
First...the instruction to review the master plan or to hand it over to any other agency to finalize the document has never been made official.It was only heard from mouth to mouth and at meetings, events or discussion which did not involve him. They may thought their did it very quietly but they may also forgot how small is our energy sector especially EE field.We always communicate and exchange information and updates for the benefits of EE industry players in many events or occasions either formal or informal.
I would not say the draft National EE master plan document was perfect but I do not feel anyone in the ministry now really took the time to digest and review it objectively. Then to understand it or to call people from organizations who were involved in the process from the start to share on what are not so right in the plan and how to improve it. Everything has been done under the blanket with personal judgement and opinions of a very few individuals which I doubt their level of knowledge, experiences and exposure in EE implementation.
What I know is, they called for a meeting with one of the lead experts together with key persons involved in the preparing the document, then this expert and persons were bashed by a junior officer in front of the much senior officers. Then they asked other experts and people who were not involved from another agency to review the documents and also some experts were involved the the document too from the beginning.
Second...then, in December last year, the called off the EE Act drafting and the letter to call for a meeting to cancel the contract to draft the act was signed by a junior officer in the ministry only. They terminated the contract of the drafting consultant when the process and decision made to draft the act and then to appoint them was done in proper justifications and procedures too. Suddenly, everything was seems not right. Who approved all that in the first place?
Third, the move to change the lead agency for EPC implementation was also done in secret and even the agency which was targeted take over the task was not aware about it until they suddenly being asked verbally to do it. This agency was never involved in any stage of the proposed EPC model when it was agreed to be introduced through EE initiatives under EPP9. I guess the official letter followed long after that or may not issued at all.
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| 2-day workshop(3-4 March 2011) at JW Marriot Hotel Putrajaya to finalize the draft Term Of Reference for the proposed drafting of EE Act for Malaysia. The workshop also attended by key stake holders from transport sector and finally the resolution was to start drafting the act which will cover electrical and thermal energy since transport sector is quite complicated and need separate study before the EE act for it could be proposed.In the same time, the workshop recommended strongly that drafting of the EE act for thermal and electrical energy should start due to more time needed for the transport sector for the study. |
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| EPC Workshop with public universities at Shang Ri La Hotel Putrajaya on 31 May 2011 and facilitated by industry experts and practitioners |
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| EPC Workshop with other ministries at the ministry on 22 June 2011 and facilitated by industry experts and practitioners |
I wrote in the YB Minister's blog and trying to highlight my concerns on the recent development which will bring our country backward in EE but yet to receive any reply. I guess he is now trying to gather some information to establish the basis of my allegations or to get some feed back from within.Anyway I can only hope he will notice that and I do not mind to come up with the basis of my stand if needed.
Since these new officers taking charge, there have been no consultation sessions held or inputs requested from stakeholders and industry players but they have never failed to act behind everyone's back (including the YB Minister) and finally the ministry came up with shocking news about EE to everyone of us too...one after another.
It has been quite embarrassing when the ministry made announcements regarding the way forward for EE regarding the National EE Policy, master and EE Act as one of the key features since 2010 and in 2011 ...all that received wide coverage and positive responses from many in Malaysia and also our EE related bodies from neighboring countries but since end of last year.....suddenly the tone changed and everything was seen wrong and they started to make steps backward instead of starting to walk forward. When anyone came seeking for explanation on the rational behind all that backward moves, no concrete answers provided. These officers just rubbished all valid concerns raised by many of us through official and unofficial channels.
It has been quite embarrassing when the ministry made announcements regarding the way forward for EE regarding the National EE Policy, master and EE Act as one of the key features since 2010 and in 2011 ...all that received wide coverage and positive responses from many in Malaysia and also our EE related bodies from neighboring countries but since end of last year.....suddenly the tone changed and everything was seen wrong and they started to make steps backward instead of starting to walk forward. When anyone came seeking for explanation on the rational behind all that backward moves, no concrete answers provided. These officers just rubbished all valid concerns raised by many of us through official and unofficial channels.
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| The kick-off seminar and workshops to draft EE Act with all stake holders in Palace of Golden Horses Hotel and Resort on 7-8 December 2011. With experts from Energy Conservation Centre of Japan and EE industry experts as facilitators for workshop with each target groups in the proposed act. |
I do not against lighting technologies but when energy efficient lighting has been singled out as top priority to be implemented, I am puzzled when the total potentials from lighting is far less than from other energy using equipment such as air conditioning systems. Why only LED technologies are promoted and to be imposed when in lighting, there are so many other options which also more economically attractive. The worst thing is, lighting technologies are generally non regulated products and no one in the country could be certain of the energy performance of each product since no law is there ensure that. Without the EE law...how could we do that for lighting and other equipment?Do not get shocked on how many more types of inefficient products which could not be sold in many other countries are being dumped into our market now if we keep waiting and do almost nothing about it.
Yesterday, a group of 6 industry and professional associations sent a petition to the YB Minister requesting to relook into the National EE Master Plan document, how to pursue it forward and the drafting of the EE Act. That is our effort to reach the YB Minister directly and appeal for him to intervene to ensure all good efforts for EE that have been initiated by the ministry previously will lead us to something more productive and not being victimized due to personal agendas of certain individuals.
I have mentioned a lot on the above three main issues in my previous posts and I believe the petition is representing the voices and concerns of us collectively from out here ....and how much we are the support of the government to bring EE forward to benefit Malaysia and all Malaysians.
If these officers are not able to do right for EE to move for the nation, I guess they do not deserve to be there anymore and as one of the tax payers, I think they should look for jobs somewhere else.
We will see what is next...how they will play the game and how we can stick together to correct their wrongs when the PM has clearly mentioned that many times....we need to listen to the people.
After all who are these arrogant and cocky government officers anyway...I know how does it feel when your have powers in your hands because I have been there too(although my authorities were little) but my only unanswered questions is...who allowed them to behave such ways in the first place?
After all who are these arrogant and cocky government officers anyway...I know how does it feel when your have powers in your hands because I have been there too(although my authorities were little) but my only unanswered questions is...who allowed them to behave such ways in the first place?
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