The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to reports on Malaysia phasing out CNG-powered vehicles.
The Malaysian government announced plans to phase out compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles and end the sale of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) nationwide.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook recently disclosed this during a press conference, as reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), a local media outlet.
In Malaysia, CNG is commonly referred to as NGV.
Fook explained that starting July 1, 2025, CNG-powered vehicles will no longer be permitted for registration or use in the country.
Additionally, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), the government-owned oil and gas corporation, will begin a gradual cessation of CNG sales at its stations on the same date.
Fook emphasized that with only 44,383 NGVs—representing just 0.2% of Malaysia’s vehicles (excluding motorcycles)—this phase-out will enhance public safety.
Read Also: Malaysia To Phase Out CNG-Powered Vehicles Over Safety Concerns As Nigeria Continues To Promote Its Use
Onanuga took to popular social media platform X to react to reports of Malaysia phasing out CNG powered vehicles.
He wrote on X: Some clarification on the plan by Malaysia to phase out CNG powered vehicles:
1. The Malaysian issue speaks more to the safety of LPG NOT safety of CNG. In the original report, government transport minister Anthony Loke said:
“There are also some car owners who have modified their vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are very dangerous.”
2. NGV covers both CNG and LPG. Nigeria in its transition has adopted CNG ONLY not both because of LPG valid safety and cost concerns
3. Malaysia basically had an unsuccessful transition away from costly and dirtier petrol and diesel. Conversion of 45,000 vehicles in 15 years (less than 0.2%) is not enviable unlike India, China, Iran and Egypt. The end of 15 year CNG tank cycle means they need to replace tanks and it was easier/cheaper to scrap their program and continue with their petrol than to do so if they had not built tank manufacturing capacity which Nigeria is already developing in year one.
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