-- Malaysia will raise its biodiesel blend to B15 from June, lifting palm oil content in transport diesel to 15% as part of efforts to ease persistently high fuel costs, Nikkei Asian Review reported Monday, citing Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The move follows earlier steps from B10 to B12 and is expected to gradually progress to B20 within a few years, with longer-term targets possibly reaching B50 as the country expands renewable fuel use, according to the report.
The policy shift comes amid volatile global oil prices linked to Middle East tensions, which have pushed local diesel costs sharply higher, though subsidies remain in place in parts of the country. Officials said the expansion will use existing refinery infrastructure and form part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while supporting the palm oil sector, the Nikkei said.
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