Oilwatch Southeast Asia Assembly June 2024
Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) recently had the privilege of participating in a significant regional gathering: the Oilwatch Southeast Asia (OW SEA) Regional Assembly, held in Penang, Malaysia, from June 19–20, 2024. This assembly, aptly named “Power from the Ground: Oilwatch Southeast Asia Regional Assembly against Extractives and Climate Imperialism,” marked a crucial moment for environmental and climate justice advocates across the region.
Who is Oilwatch Southeast Asia?
Oilwatch Southeast Asia, a network of organisations committed to resisting fossil fuel extraction and its devastating impacts in the region, reconvened after 14-years. For KAMY, our connection to OW SEA came through our existing relationships within the human rights defenders network in Southeast Asia. This connection underscores the critical intersection between climate action and human rights, particularly in addressing the often-overlooked issue of imperialism in the energy transition.
The assembly provided an invaluable opportunity for KAMY to connect and re-connect with activists from Indonesia, Timor Leste, West Papua, Burma, and the Philippines. These connections allowed us to share experiences, strategies, and challenges in our collective fight against extractivism in our respective countries. The diversity of perspectives and the wealth of knowledge shared during the event were truly inspiring.
One of the most striking realisations from the assembly was the commonality of issues faced across Southeast Asia.
As we discussed our national situations, it became clear that many of us are grappling with similar challenges: the militarisation of resource-rich areas, the tragic killings of environmental and human rights defenders, the continued reliance on fossil fuels despite climate commitments, and the struggle against corrupt governance that often prioritises corporate interests over people and the environment.
KAMY had the opportunity to present a situationer on Malaysia’s current environmental, climate, and energy transition challenges. This presentation not only allowed us to share our local context but also opened up valuable discussions on how our experiences relate to the broader regional struggle.
A crucial topic that emerged during our discussions was the danger of false solutions to the climate crisis. We delved into how some proposed solutions, such as large-scale bioenergy projects, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and certain geoengineering techniques, could lead to land grabs, continued fossil fuel dependence, and new forms of exploitation in our region.
The assembly wasn’t just about sharing problems; it was about building solutions and solidarity. We engaged in workshops and strategy sessions that equipped us with new tools for environmental campaigning, thanks to inputs from organisations like Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and 350 Asia. These sessions helped us identify potential collaborations and aligned our efforts for more impactful regional campaigns.
It’s worth noting that this regional assembly was held in tandem with the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS) 2024. This alignment provided an additional layer of networking and solidarity-building, allowing us to reconnect with comrades from across the region who are engaged in various aspects of social and environmental justice work.
Malaysia’s opportunity during ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025
Looking ahead, KAMY sees a significant opportunity on the horizon. Malaysia is set to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, a position that allows our country to set priorities for the regional agenda. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has already expressed Malaysia’s intention to address pressing regional issues, such as the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, during our chairmanship.
As climate and environmental advocates, we at KAMY believe this is a crucial moment for Malaysia to demonstrate leadership on environmental justice issues and sustainable energy transition. We hope to see Malaysia use its position to prioritise genuine solutions to the climate crisis, address the dangers of false solutions, combat climate imperialism, promote regional cooperation on sustainable development, and encourage ASEAN member states to accelerate their just transition to renewable energy sources.
The Oilwatch Southeast Asia Regional Assembly has reignited our passion and reinforced our commitment to the cause. As we continue our work in Malaysia, we carry with us the spirit of regional solidarity and the shared vision of a just and equitable future for all of Southeast Asia. We believe that by leveraging the connections and strategies discussed during the assembly, civil society organisations across Southeast Asia can collectively influence our governments to take bold, meaningful action on climate change and environmental protection.
