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Wednesday November 16, 2005

Fast track for bio-diesel switch

BY STEPHEN THEN

MIRI: Malaysia’s switch to bio-diesel has been put on super-fast track, and will begin next year, at least one year ahead of schedule.

Three federal ministries – Transport, Defence, and Primary Enterprises and Commodities – have volunteered to “pioneer” the use of this fuel, dubbed B5.

The Government’s initial plan was to introduce it in early 2007.

“However, because our plans are going very well, it seems that we can start way ahead of schedule,” Primary Enterprises and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui told The Star yesterday.

“Starting in 2006, all diesel-engine vehicles throughout the country that belong to departments, agencies and organisations under the Transport Ministry, Defence Ministry and our own ministry will start switching to bio-diesel,” he said.

“After that, we will introduce the fuel to the general public for use.”

Chin said a high-level committee involving several ministries and agencies had been set up to ensure the success of the project.

The B5 fuel will comprise 5% of palm oil diesel (methyl ester) and 95% petroleum-based diesel.

The eventual formula aimed at is 20% palm oil diesel and 80% petroleum diesel.

Chin said the Cabinet had given the green light for the B5’s “early birth.”

He said that using the B5 would not only be good for the environment, but would also save the Government hundreds of millions of ringgit in oil subsidies yearly.

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