Mahathir Throws Out B20 Biodiesel Challenge

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has challenged Malaysia to emulate Indonesia’s move to introduce a higher biodiesel mandate — the B20 biodiesel fuel — by 2020 and become the world’s top biodiesel-producing country.

The Prime Minister noted that neighbouring Indonesia has surpassed Malaysia as the largest palm oil producer and that it has already introduced B20 biodiesel (a blend of 20% palm methyl ester and 80% petroleum diesel) in 2016 in its transportation sector. In comparison, the transportation sector in Malaysia is currently still using the B7 biodiesel fuel, with the B10 version to be implemented in full force only February in next year.

Speaking at the launch of the B10 biodiesel programme for the transportation sector, Mahathir pointed out that Indonesia has managed to reduce the import of diesel and strengthen its palm industry and the country’s economy since its move to B20.

“Malaysia’s palm industry should be bold to explore new market and prove to the world that the quality of our palm oil is among the best. “I hope all quarters will be fully equipped and ready to introduce B20 biodiesel fuel by 2020.

This biodiesel programme is vital to our country because our palm trees are our golden crop, and have contributed to our economy for so long. “The use of palm biodiesel will impact positively on our palm industry by reducing our palm oil stocks and subsequently stabilise its price,” he said during the launch at Dataran Putra, here, today. (Source: The Sun Daily)