MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), gathered over 100 business leaders, policymakers and industry experts and partners to its MUFG N0W conference in Kuching, Sarawak.  

MUFG N0W, or Net Zero World, is the bank’s flagship regional networking and thought leadership platform for marshalling collective responses from the private and public sectors to the challenges and opportunities of Asia’s sustainable development. This year’s session in Kuching follows the success of the inaugural MUFG N0W in Malaysia last March.  

Hosted jointly by MUFG’s ESG finance team for APAC and its Malaysian subsidiary, the event was attended by distinguished guests, including YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Haji Abdul Aziz bin Dato Haji Husain, Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and YBhg. Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim bin Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Industry leaders in sustainable energy, finance and technology also joined in lively discussions on advancing green power and future decarbonisation strategies.

YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Haji Abdul Aziz, in his keynote speech, emphasised the agency’s key role in supporting Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050: “In partnership with international collaborators, including Japan, SEDC is leading initiatives in green hydrogen innovation, positioning Sarawak as a frontrunner in sustainable energy.  

“SEDC is dedicated to adopting advanced technologies and global partnerships to ensure Sarawak’s future as a leader in clean energy and sustainability,” he added.

YBhg. Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim bin Sikh Abdul Majid in his keynote speech, said: “Malaysia's green transformation is not just an aspiration—it is an imperative. Through our whole-of-nation approach across key stakeholders, our partnership with MUFG, and the commitment of stakeholders like Sarawak SEDC and Sarawak Energy, we are building a sustainable future that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship, while addressing the energy trilemma of affordability, energy security and environmental sustainability. 

“MIDA is committed to assist you and we are ready to provide support, from project conceptualisation to implementation. We invite you to engage with us to explore how we can facilitate your green investment journey in Malaysia,” he added.

With a longstanding presence in Malaysia spanning close to 70 years, MUFG has actively engaged with corporate clients to understand their sustainability aspirations and collaborate on transactions ranging from green financing and sustainability-linked loans to green trade. MUFG Malaysia was twice awarded Best Sustainable Bank (International) by FinanceAsia in 2023 and 2024.

MUFG’s commitment to Sarawak’s growth agenda has also seen it participate in the state’s  budget conference last December. This was the first-ever state budget conference in Malaysia, outlining Sarawak’s latest strategic growth initiatives and policies, with MUFG  actively facilitating discussions on public-private partnerships in unlocking the state’s green opportunities. 

Last week, the bank also signed a MoU with AFFIN Bank, majority-owned by Sarawak, pledging to collaborate in areas ranging from Malaysia-Japan business ties and green transformation. 

Motohide Okuda, MUFG Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer and Country Head of Malaysia said: “MUFG’s support of Sarawak’s growth ambitions is perfectly aligned with our broader commitment to Malaysia, and we look forward to leveraging our ESG financing expertise and regional network to foster collaborations that bolster Sarawak’s goals for sustainable growth and green innovation.

“This latest MUFG N0W is a compelling showcase of how we are well-positioned to connect the best of Japan’s technological capabilities with Malaysia’s abundant green energy resources to unleash exciting, new opportunities to drive further growth.  We are fully aligned with Sarawak’s Sustainability Vision 2030 and will continue to facilitate public-private partnerships to create a more inclusive, brighter future for Japan, Malaysia and Asia.”  

Twitter