MALAYSIAN PM PROPOSES SETTING UP OF CLEAN ENERGY BANK

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak Wednesday proposed
that a "Clean Energy Development Bank" be established to accelerate the
development of clean energy-related industries for the benefit of developing
countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Speaking at the 6th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) at the Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre here, the prime minister said Malaysia was prepared to
spearhead the initiative.

"As clean energy is being pursued by governments and security of energy
supply is becoming a priority for countries with few, if any, hydrocarbon
resources, there is tremendous potential for the development of alternative
energy sources.

"I hope it (proposal) can be discussed during the forum's Special Leadership
Dialogue Session on Climate Change," he said in his keynote address.

Najib, who is the also the WIEF patron, said that as energy security was
becoming a pertinent subject today, the green agenda should be made central to
policy making

"The current reality must be recognised. We all stand accused of doing too
little too late. We need to do more to develop alternative energy sources that
address growing requirements and prevent further degradation of the
environment," he said.

Najib said more inter-government collaboration was required to formulate
policies and initiate programmes which promoted renewable energy options, such
as biofuels.

He said another area to enhance the countries' collective efforts to
build strong, sustainable enonomies and fair, just societies was to strengthen
efforts in human resource development, especially in education and training,
which in his view, was far from satisfactory.

"No Muslim country can aspire to be a leader in any field without investing
in education."

Hence, Najib proposed that a Specialised Development Fund be established to
develop an education infrastructure and support teacher training and academic
research.


"Properly structured, managed and utilised, such funds can help reduce the
educational gap that exists between the Muslim and non-Muslim world," he said.

Najib said that as issues faced by the Muslim world were more daunting, the
member countries could not afford to be bystanders but should instead embark on
a revolution that could ultimately achieve a remarkable transformation in member
countries and throughout the Muslim world.

-- BERNAMA



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