KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Jan -- Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Narkotik Bukit Aman Datuk Seri Mohd Kamaruddin Md Din ketika sidang media di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Cheras hari ini.
Polis menahan lima individu termasuk seorang wanita dalam lima serbuan sekitar Cheras dan Kajang pada 16 hingga 17 Januari lepas serta merampas pelbagai jenis dadah bernilai RM448,850.
--fotoBERNAMA (2024) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) — Malaysian police have crippled a syndicate employing the latest trend of lacing bottles of juice with drugs, after several raids across the Klang Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday netted six suspects, including the mastermind.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crimes Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Kamaruddin Md Din pointing to the seized items during the press conference. PHOTO: BERNAMA
revealed that the syndicate was adulterating a type of juice with various drugs and distributing the beverage at entertainment outlets in the Klang Valley.
According to him, investigations revealed that the syndicate, operational since mid-2023, utilised luxury condominiums in Kajang and Cheras as their headquarters, and marketed the laced juice to entertainment outlets and private parties.
“We found that they mixed various types of drugs in juices and sold them between MYR180 and MYR300 per bottle depending on the size and drug content catering to the customers’ demands.
“Each member of the syndicate also received about MYR30,000 per month as wages for processing and distributing the drugs and made a lucrative profit from the sales,” he said during a press conference at the Cheras District Police Headquarters here today.
Mohd Kamaruddin said 54.55 litres of drug-laced juice, 1.68 kgs of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder, 144 gms of ketamine, 16 gms of marijuana, five kg of ecstasy powder, 550 eramin 5 pills, and 2,900 ecstasy pills estimated at MYR448,850 were confiscated.
He said three luxury vehicles, cash, and jewelry estimated at MYR489,408 were also seized in the raids.
Four of the individuals arrested tested positive for ketamine, and one of them had a previous drug-related criminal record, he added.
“The individuals aged 19 to 40 are being remanded for seven days until Jan 23 to facilitate the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
PARIS (AFP) – The director of Zac Efron’s heartbreaking new wrestling film, “The Iron Claw”, said it was a battle to keep the emotional star from turning on the waterworks during filming.
Efron, who made his name in wholesome Disney films like “High School Musical”, is almost unrecognisable thanks to the extreme bodybuilding preparation he did for the role as real-life wrestler Kevin Von Erich.
But director Sean Durkin said the biggest challenge was keeping him from crying.
“Zac is such a committed, generous guy. He’s so full of emotion,” Durkin told AFP.
“So much of the direction was telling him, ‘Don’t cry — not yet, not yet!’ Until we shot the final scene on the final day and I could say: ‘OK, now you can let it all out.’
“And he did, for take after take after take.”
Fans of Hollywood hunks Efron and Jeremy Allen White may be excited to see them parade around a ring half-naked for much of the new movie.
A scene from The Iron Claw. PHOTO: A24
But they should be prepared for one of the grimmest portrayals of American sports ever put on screen, in the true-life tale of the Von Erich wrestling family from the 1970s and 1980s, who were pushed into tragedy by a success-obsessed father.
“Iron Claw”, which features White’s first major role since his award-winning turn in hit series “The Bear” and a much-discussed Calvin Klein ad, is being released around Europe in the coming weeks.
It may focus on the world of US wrestling, with its unlikely mix of athleticism and pantomime, but it is really about the “lie of the American Dream”, Durkin said — the idea that pushing to be the best at any cost is the only way to survive.
“It’s pertinent now because we finally have language about mental health, but it’s only in the last couple years that you hear athletes talking about it,” the 42-year-old director said.
The early days of wrestling were particularly extreme, with performers on the road most of the year with little support.
“These guys were putting their bodies on the line day after day for entertainment’s sake and if they couldn’t wrestle, they were done,” said Durkin.
“The irony is they express all these emotions in the ring — the highest highs, the lowest lows — but they get backstage and they aren’t allowed to show any of it because of this old-school nonsense notion of what it means to be a man.”
(ANN/THE NATION) – Thailand appears powerless to prevent a recurring nightmare, exemplified by the recent fatal explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphanburi province.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at 3.30 pm, claimed the lives of 21 workers and left seven seriously injured in Ban Khoi Ngam, Muang district.
Conflicting reports on the casualty count persist, with rescue officials grappling to identify victims, citing extensive damage that scattered body parts up to 50 metres away and in nearby rice fields.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin revealed on Thursday that stored gunpowder ignited the explosion, exacerbated by potassium chlorate on-site.
This tragic déjà vu marks at least the 24th fireworks-related incident in Thailand over the past 16 years.
As many as six explosions occurred in 2008, followed by three in 2009, two in 2010, five in 2011 and 2012 as well as three in 2023, according to Thai Division of Injury Prevention (DIP).
PHOTO: ANN/THE NATION
These incidents took the lives of at least 24 people and injured 182, with several houses also destroyed.
The accidents mostly occur in factories despite the several regulations imposed to prevent explosions. These include the 1999 Safety Protection Measures in Factory Operation (No.3), and the 2009 Fire Protection and Settlement in Factory edicts.
The Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act (1947) stipulates that anyone who does not have permission from an authorised body is not permitted to manufacture, import, or sell pyrotechnics.
Authorities are allowed to order the relocation of a site that was used to manufacture, store, or sell explosives if they believe that they pose a risk to public safety, the law said.
Following the deadly Suphanburi explosion, DIP released recommendations to prevent future explosions. These included avoiding storing fireworks in heated areas and residential areas, being prepared to put out a fire, avoiding smoking within areas, and not modifying pyrotechnics.
The dean of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang’s College of Materials Innovation and Technology, Wipoo Sriseubsa, told the media recently that another factor contributing to explosions is a plant owner’s ignorance of the need to regularly check their facilities.
Wipoo cited instances such as smoking within factory areas or not reviewing the wiring.
File photo shows ethnic minority armed group standing guard at a temple area in Myanmar. PHOTO: AFP
GUWAHATI, India (AFP) – Nearly 300 Myanmar soldiers crossed the border into India to flee an advance by armed insurgents fighting the country’s junta, an Indian paramilitary officer told AFP on Friday.
Clashes have rocked parts of Myanmar near the Indian border since the Arakan Army (AA) attacked security forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since a 2021 military coup.
This week, the group said it had taken over the major town of Paletwa and six military bases along the border of India’s Mizoram state, where the soldiers had crossed on Wednesday.
A total of 276 troops carrying their arms and ammunition arrived at Bondukbangsora village, an officer from the Assam Rifles paramilitary force, who declined to give a name, told AFP.
“We have given them shelter at our camp,” he said, adding that the arriving soldiers were “given all the support they require”.
The officer said that his unit was collecting biometric data from the soldiers and had sought approval from the defence ministry in New Delhi to return them to Myanmar.
Hundreds of other Myanmar troops have fled to India to escape fighting since the ceasefire ended in November, according to local media reports.
Two Myanmar military aircraft arrived in Aizawl, the Mizoram state capital, to collect and repatriate soldiers who retreated from the conflict.
In October, an alliance of the AA and two other ethnic minority armed groups launched a joint offensive across Myanmar’s northern Shan state, capturing towns and seizing vital trade hubs on the China border.
Last week, the alliance announced a China-mediated ceasefire in Shan state after months of conflict that posed the biggest threat to the junta since it seized power.
The agreement does not apply to areas near the Indian border where fighting between the military and insurgents has raged on.
This June 22, 2022 photo provided by Thane Ostroth shows the Cozy Mark IV plane that crashed into the ocean off the California coast on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. PHOTO: THANE OSTROTH VIA AP
This June 22, 2022 photo provided by Thane Ostroth shows the Cozy Mark IV plane that crashed into the ocean off the California coast on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. PHOTO: THANE OSTROTH VIA AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A small aeroplane that crashed into the ocean off the California coast on Sunday was constructed piece by piece over nearly a decade, one of tens of thousands of home-built aircraft that are part of a high-flying hobby taking off across the country.
Federal investigators said they believe four people were aboard the single-engine Cozy Mark IV when it went down in the evening just south of San Francisco. No survivors were found and only one body had been recovered from the waters near Half Moon Bay and identified as of Thursday.
The names of the pilot and two other passengers were not released. The plane was registered to an Oakland-based company called Winged Wallabies, Inc, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
There have been no official indications of what went wrong, but a witness reported hearing an engine losing power and cutting out.
Thane Ostroth, a retired dentist who began building the aircraft in 1999 and flying it in 2008, said he sold the plane last year to a young, experienced and enthusiastic pilot from Australia for around USD100,000, which is about what he estimated went into the project over the decades.
Ostroth said the buyer, in his late 20s, knew a lot about planes. He landed the plane perfectly on his first test flight, which is not easy to do.
“I told him, ‘That was well done,'” Ostroth recalled. “He said, ‘Thank you. I’ll buy the plane.'”
Authorities have not said whether the plane’s owner was among those on board.
Ostroth said he heard about the crash in an online chat group for pilots and builders of Cozy aircraft, a class of planes constructed by individuals rather than mass-produced by companies.
He said it was “traumatic” to know the plane he had spent so much time on had crashed with people on board.
“It’s just a horrible feeling,” Ostroth said.
Like commercial aircraft, all home-built planes are required by the FAA to be inspected annually for airworthiness. Cosy aircraft have the same safety record as commercially built planes of similar size, said aeronautical engineer Marc Zeitlin, who consults with the National Transportation Safety Board on crash investigations involving Cozy aircraft, including this one.
More than 33,000 amateur-built aircraft are licensed by the FAA, a figure that has tripled since the 1980s.
The administration designates any non-commercial, recreational aircraft as “experimental.” Those can include planes built from kits with some prefabricated parts or from plans in which the builder buys or manufactures and assembles all the parts.
The four-seat Mark IV, at just over 16 feet (5.1 metres) long with a 28-foot (8.5-metres) wingspan, is a popular plane among the growing number of aviation hobbyists who build their own aircraft. Zeitlin owns one himself that he takes on day trips and cross-country voyages.
“The misconception is that these are put together by baling wire and glue,” said Zeitlin, CEO of California-based Burnside Aerospace. “But they are built using aircraft methodology.”
The Mark IV has a “canard” design, with a small forewing placed to the front of the main wing, making it reminiscent of a duck stretched out in flight. It is lightweight, only about 1,050 pounds (475 kilograms) empty, with the parts fitted together with epoxy.
With a top speed approaching 200 mph (322 kph), it is fast, stable and fuel-efficient, Zeitlen said.
“Like a sports car in the sky,” he said. “Very fun to fly.”
Ostroth said he bought the plans for his Cozy for about USD500 and started putting it together in a friend’s basement in Michigan. Eventually they moved construction to the home’s garage and then built a barn in the backyard for the final steps.
“The plans come with a list of authorised suppliers of parts,” said Ostroth, who now lives in Florida. “You buy foam, you buy fibreglass, you buy metal parts from all the manufacturers. And you slowly piece it together.”
Help can be found from other enthusiasts who post tips and advice in online forums.
Ostroth flew the aircraft regularly for 15 years. He called it “a wonderful little plane.”
Sunday’s crash was reported around 7 pm by a 911 caller who said the plane was in obvious distress and appeared to go down toward the water near Ross’ Cove, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
The US Coast Guard said a helicopter and boat crew looked in a 28-square mile (73-square-kilometre) area for nearly six hours before calling off the search around mid-morning Monday. A few hours later, a woman’s body was found by a commercial fishing boat crew. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified her as Emma Willmer-Shiles, 27, of San Francisco.
The National Transportation Safety Board said its investigators arrived on scene Tuesday to document the wreckage and interview witnesses. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
FILE - Currency traders watch monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 11, 2024. Asia markets mostly advanced Friday, Jan. 19, after Wall Street recouped most of the week's earlier losses and Japan reported slowing inflation, which may keep its ultra-low interest rates steady. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
HONG KONG (AP) – Asia markets mostly advanced Friday after Wall Street recouped most of the week’s earlier losses and Japan reported slowing inflation, which may keep its ultra-low interest rates steady.
US futures were mixed and oil prices fell. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.4 per cent to 35,946.50.
Japan’s inflation slowed for a second straight month, increasing the chance that the Bank of Japan will keep its ultra-low interest rates unchanged at its meeting next week. The country’s annual headline inflation rate has remained above the BOJ’s two per cent target since April 2022, with a gradual decline observed from its peak of 4.3 per cent last year to the rate of 2.6 per cent in December that was reported Friday.
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.1% to 15,373.00 and the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.5 per cent at 2,832.29.
In South Korea, the Kospi added one per cent to 2,464.76. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced one per cent to 7,421.10. In Bangkok, the SET was up 0.6 per cent.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose 0.9 per cent to 4,780.94 following back-to-back drops that started the holiday-shortened week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5 per cent to 37,468.61, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.3 per cent to 15,055.65.
Big Tech stocks led the way, including Apple, which rose 3.3 per cent to flip its loss for the week so far into a gain.
Chip companies were also strong after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co gave a forecast for revenue in 2024 that analysts said was higher than they were expecting. Broadcom gained 3.6 per cent, while TSMC’s stock that trades in the United States jumped 9.8 per cent.
The market was broadly steadier as Treasury yields in the bond market slowed their jump from earlier in the week. Yields had been climbing as traders pushed back their forecasts for how soon the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates. Higher yields in turn undercut prices for stocks and raise the pressure on the economy.
The Fed has indicated it will likely cut rates several times in 2024 because inflation has been cooling since its peak two summers ago, meaning it may not need as tight a leash on the economy and financial system.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose again Friday, to 4.16 per cent from 4.11 per cent late Wednesday.
Treasury yields swung up and down in the minutes after a report on Thursday morning showed the number of US workers applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to its lowest level since two Septembers ago. That’s good news for workers and for the economy overall, which has so far powered through predictions for a recession.
Other reports on the economy were mixed Thursday. One showed manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is contracting by more than economists expected. Another said homebuilders broke ground on more projects last month than economists expected, even if it was weaker than November’s level.
On the losing end of Wall Street were several financial companies that reported weaker results for the end of 2023 than analysts expected. Discover Financial Services fell 10.8 per cent, and KeyCorp lost 4.6 per cent after both reported profits that fell well short of Wall Street’s forecasts, though their revenues topped expectations.
In energy trading, benchmark US crude lost USD0.09 to USD73.86 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gave up USD0.21 to USD78.89 a barrel.
Currency traders watch monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 11, 2024. Asia markets mostly advanced Friday, January 19, after Wall Street recouped most of the week’s earlier losses and Japan reported slowing inflation, which may keep its ultra-low interest rates steady. PHOTO: AP
North Korea's military guard post is seen from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea and called for rewriting the North’s constitution to eliminate the idea of shared statehood between the war-divided countries, state media said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
UNITED NATIONS (AP) – South Korea called on the divided UN Security Council on Thursday “to break the silence” over North Korea’s escalating missile tests and threats.
“It’s a big question,” South Korea’s UN Ambassador Hwang Joonkook told reporters after an emergency closed meeting of the council on the North’s first ballistic missile test of 2024 on Sunday. South Korea is serving a two-year term on the council.
The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea’s first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking — so far unsuccessfully — to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in 2017. China and Russia vetoed a US-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
Since then, the two veto-wielding permanent council members have blocked any council action, including media statements.
North Korea’s escalating test-launches in violation of the existing UN sanctions — five ICBMs, more than 25 ballistic missiles and three satellite launches using ballistic missile technology in 2023 – coupled with new threats from the North’s leader Kim Jong Un have raised regional tensions to their highest point in years.
On Monday, Kim declared North Korea would abandon its commitment to a peaceful unification with South Korea and ordered a rewriting of its constitution to eliminate the idea of a shared statehood between the war-divided countries.
He said South Koreans were “top-class stooges” of America who were obsessed with confrontation, and repeated a threat that the North would annihilate the South with its nukes if provoked.
Before Thursday’s council meeting, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told reporters Kim’s provocations “are of great concern.”
He said the 15 council members need to be reminded that North Korea is violating sanctions and its obligations to the council, “and we have to insist that they adhere to those obligations, and for all Security Council members to enforce those resolutions.”
By contrast, China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun, whose country is a close ally of North Korea, called on all parties involved in the Korean Peninsula to stay calm and refrain from actions that would further raise tensions.
In a message clearly aimed at the United States and South Korea, Zhang expressed hope that while attention is mainly on North Korea, “other countries are also responsible to avoid further escalation.”
France’s UN Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere told reporters that North Korea’s actions are “getting worse and worse,” with regular ballistic missile launches, continuing uranium enrichment, and advancement of its nuclear program.
“Everyone is focused on missile launches, but I think the biggest threat is their nuclear programme which continues to grow again and again,” De Riviere said.
And he called it “a shame” that Russia is violating Security Council resolutions by “buying military stuff that they use in Ukraine” from North Korea. “It’s really bad,” he said.
South Korea’s Hwang said all 15 members of the Council are worried that North Korea’s rhetoric and actions are “getting more and more serious.”
But how to break the council’s silence and inaction?
“We will discuss and think about it, and how to move forward,” he said. “It’s a big question.”
As for Kim’s abandonment of peaceful reunification, Hwang called it “a big change” in their rhetoric, actions and policy. “The nuclear policy is highly, highly alarming,” he said.
North Korea’s military guard post is seen from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, January 16. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea and called for rewriting the North’s constitution to eliminate the idea of shared statehood between the war-divided countries, state media said Tuesday. PHOTO: AP
BTS' Jungkook's '3D' made it to the top spot on Billboard Global 200 chart. PHOTO: BIGHIT MUSIC
(ANN/KOREA HERALD) — Jungkook of BTS has garnered certifications from Music Canada for his solo music, marking a historic achievement as the first Asian solo singer to attain three “gold single” songs from a single album in the country.
This distinction was confirmed by the organisation, formerly known as the Canadian Recording Industry Association.
The track “Seven” achieved a remarkable feat by attaining double platinum certification, while “3D” and “Standing Next To You” received gold certifications. All three songs are featured in his inaugural solo album, “Golden.”
Jungkook. PHOTO: Big Hit Music via ANN/KOREA HERALD
“Seven” made an impactful debut by securing the top position on Billboard’s Hot 100 and received accolades as one of the best songs of 2023 from major publications, including The New York Times, The LA Times, and Rolling Stone magazine.
Simultaneously, both the album and the focal track “Standing Next To You” have demonstrated enduring success on the charts.
They have maintained their presence on Billboard 200 and Hot 100 for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks, securing positions at No. 43 and No. 76, respectively.
HANOI (ANN/THE VIETNAM NEWS) – Vietnam is strategically positioning itself for the impending surge in semiconductor investment by diligently establishing both solid and soft infrastructure, implementing policy mechanisms, investing in research and development, formulating strategies, and cultivating a skilled workforce.
Globally recognised as a vital industry, the semiconductor sector is poised for substantial growth, with the global market targeting a significant milestone of USD1 trillion by 2030.
Vietnam has outlined clear and specific directions along with action plans to propel the development of its semiconductor industry.
As a nation fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem, Vietnam’s rapid advancements in the digital economy and remarkable growth in the high-tech sector have attracted the interest of numerous global corporations, enticing them to invest in the flourishing semiconductor industry.
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, in an interview with the government’s online newspaper baochinhphu.vn in early 2024, elaborated on the crucial tasks assigned to various government departments, particularly the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in preparing for investments in Vietnam’s semiconductor industry.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh (second from the left) visits the semiconductor chip production line of Hana Micro Vina Co Ltd in Bac Giang Province. PHOTO: ANN/VIETNAM NEWS
The government specifically asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to create a plan for developing the semiconductor industry in Vietnam until 2030, with the final stages of drafting currently underway.
Meanwhile, MPI has been entrusted by the Government and the Prime Minister to lead the human resources development project for the semiconductor industry in Vietnam until 2030. The specific objective is to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers, reflecting the nation’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals in this critical field.
Vietnam has also established the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and collaborated with two of the largest chip design corporations in the United States, Synopsys and Cadence, to set up a chip research and design centre within NIC’s facilities.
Infrastructure readiness
In addressing the crucial aspect of infrastructure, Minister Dung highlighted the meticulous preparations made by localities.
Enhancements in land infrastructure, with active efforts to free up land for semiconductor enterprises, have been a priority.
Simultaneously, strategic transportation infrastructure connecting economic centres, seaports and airports is being enhanced.
The focus extends to preparing for issues related to information technology, electricity, water and social infrastructure for the workforce in the semiconductor industry.
These preparations underscore the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for semiconductor investments and its determination to actively participate in the global semiconductor value chain, the minister said.
PHOTO: ENVATO
Dung underscored the significance of human resources development as a primary challenge in the semiconductor industry.
He outlined the MPI’s progress in the final stages of designing the human resources development project. This initiative aims to train a substantial number of 50,000 engineers, 1,000 master’s degree holders, and 100 PhD researchers in the semiconductor industry by 2030.
The plan includes potential domestic and international training programmes, emphasising collaboration with universities and institutions.
To realise these goals, Vietnam has forged a collaborative agreement with the University of Arizona, a prominent institution specialising in semiconductor education in the United States.
The minister highlighted the importance of mobilising diverse resources, including state funds, private sector support and non-refundable aid, to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
With increasing competition for foreign direct investment (FDI) and the implementation of global minimum tax in 2024, Minister Dung outlined Vietnam’s measures to support domestic and foreign enterprises participating in the semiconductor production and supply chain.
The government aims to develop a strategic roadmap, ensure rapid implementation to meet human resource demands, and improve institutions and policies.
Australian businessman Andrew Forrest takes part to a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024. PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: ENVATO
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (AFP) – Andrew Forrest, a blunt Australian billionaire who made his fortune in iron ore mining, stood out among the heads of emissions-spewing industries at the meeting of global elites in Davos.
He has been dubbed a “climate evangelist” who is working to decarbonise his company’s operations and presses fellow industrialists to also stop burning fossil fuels.
“I’m saying to the industrial world, if the crabby, backwards old mining industry can do it, so can everyone else,” Forrest told AFP in an interview in the Swiss Alpine resort.
Forrest is a regular at the World Economic Forum, where he came again this week to talk about climate change and sparred with an oil executive on the global energy transition.
His company, Fortescue, plans to use renewable power instead of diesel and natural gas across its energy-intensive mining operations by 2030.
He is also betting heavily on green hydrogen, ploughing billions of dollars into projects to produce the clean fuel by using renewable energy.
Last week, Forrest pledged to deliver 14 gigawatts in clean energy to Australia by the end of the decade through his solar and wind firm, Squadron Energy, which could power the equivalent of six million homes.
His critics point out that Forrest became rich through mining operations that last year alone emitted 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, more than a small Pacific island.
Forrest admits his own culpability.
“There’s about 1,000 industrialists who are responsible for the consumption of oil and gas around the world. And I am one of those. I burn a billion litres of diesel a year,” he said.
“But before you put my head up on a spike alone, look at the other 999, because at least I’m moving with thorough economic plans to eliminate all fossil fuels from my supply chain. And that’s what I’m asking every other executive to do.”
Australian businessman Andrew Forrest takes part to a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024. PHOTO: AFP
Death race
Forrest reserves his most scathing criticism for the oil and gas industry, accusing it of “peddling poison”.
He said the planet was in a “death race” and that the fossil fuel sector was “dragging the rest of the world down with them”.
He said he asks oil executives the same question: “When will you allow your customers to stop burning fossil fuel?”
“If they said, ‘well, we’re not going to’, then you say, ‘thanks for telling the truth’. If they say, ‘well, we are already’, then you say, ‘please don’t treat me like a moron’.”
During the UN’s COP28 conference in Dubai last month, Forrest took out newspaper ads criticising the oil and gas industry and calling for a fossil fuel phase-out. The summit ended with an agreement for the world to transition away from fossil fuels.
In Davos on Thursday, he had a lively debate with Vicki Hollub, the CEO of US firm Occidental Petroleum, during a panel discussion on the energy transition.
“I haven’t really seen anything just and fair about the fossil fuel sector,” Forrest told the panel.
Hollub said the oil industry would play a “key part” in the energy transition, in part by continuing “to provide the fuel that the world needs”.
While solar and wind energy can be used for power generation, maritime shipping, aviation and road haulage will still require fuel, she said.
“(In) the transition, as much as you would like, we cannot stop fossil fuels today,” Hollub said.
PHOTO: ENVATO
Miracle molecule
Forrest’s campaign has drawn praise among some climate activists.
“Andrew Forrest has voiced the urgency to halt fossil fuel expansion and has been decidedly critical of oil companies,” said Harjeet Singh, global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, which campaigns for an end to the expansion of coal, gas and oil.
“We need a greater number of business leaders to fully acknowledge the enormity of the climate crisis and actively invest their resources in real solutions,” Singh told AFP.
But Forrest’s belief that hydrogen – which he calls “the miracle molecule” – will play a major part in the energy transition has drawn scepticism.
Hydrogen, which emits only water vapour, is touted for potential use in high-polluting industries such as transport, shipping and steel.
But producing it at mass scale is a major challenge, as costs remain high and the infrastructure is lacking so far.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report last week that only seven percent of projects announced worldwide to use renewables to produce hydrogen this decade are expected to come online by 2030.
IEA chief Fatih Birol told AFP it was good that “billionaires also want to see a clean energy future. This is great.”
“Green hydrogen definitely belongs to the future of our clean energy mix,” he added. “But one should be a bit careful not to have high expectations.”
