RimbaWatch calls for independent inquiry into carbon capture bill

SUMMARY

• Environmental group RimbaWatch wants the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Bill to be put on hold.

• Questions raised on why security measures incorporated into environmental law.

• RimbaWatch also wants an independent inquiry into whether corporate lobbying influenced legislative calls

Environmental think tank RimbaWatch has called for the halt and independent examination of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Bill.

The call is based on their analysis titled 'Environmental Impacts of CCUS Initiatives in Malaysia', a study which the group said raises significant concerns on the proposed law as it "fails to address important environmental issues."

A notable finding of the analysis, published today, details how the bill has significant gaps and sections mirroring controversial laws such as the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 and the Sedition Act 1948.

In a statement accompanying its published analysis, RimbaWatch asserted that such similarities grant the government an "iron grip" over who may be prosecuted for violations of the potential legislation.

"Despite being framed as a commercial and environmental regulatory law, we observe that the CCUS Bill gives sweeping control to the government by ensuring that prosecution decisions remain tightly centralised under ministerial oversight.

"The fact that provisions for national security have been imposed onto the CCUS Bill, an economic and climate law, raise serious concerns about accountability, enforcement and whether the public have access to legal recourse if CCUS operations go wrong," it added.

Abetting fossil fuels

It highlighted Section 48 of the bill, which provides prosecution for any offence shall require the written consent of the public prosecutor, whose role has yet to he separated from the prime minister-appointed attorney-general.

Other findings from the analysis include claims that CCUS in Malaysia is primarily concerned with extracting additional planet-warming fossil fuel resources, rather than genuine emissions reductions.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | What is carbon storage and is it good for Malaysia?

It also asserted that despite strong regulatory focus on CCUS, no fossil fuel company or government agency has conducted a comprehensive impact assessment of CCUS projects to evaluate their full lifecycle impact.

Noting that CCUS investments actively hinder renewable energy growth by sustaining fossil fuel dependency, RimbaWatch urged for an independent national inquiry into the bill to address concerns.

The inquiry, it said, should determine whether corporate lobbying influenced legislative decisions.

Bill in final stage

The procedure should also look into whether the gross fossil fuel emissions from CCUS projects are aligned with Malaysia's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

On March 5, Sahabat Alam Malaysia sounded the alarm over Putrajaya’s apparently rushed tabling of the CCUS Bill.

Questioning the government’s haste in pushing through with the bill, the environmental group claimed the proposed act only involved one consultation session with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli last year.

The bill was unanimously passed in the Dewan Rakyat the following day.

It is due to be debated in the Senate in the coming week before it can be passed into law.

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