In Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, the natural resources, environment and climate change ministry was split into the energy transition and public utilities ministry as well as the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry.

Nik Nazmi said despite the name change, his ministry will still look into climate change issues.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” Nik Nazmi told reporters after officiating the 2023 Energy Efficiency Challenge in Putrajaya.

“We will not deviate from our zero carbon emission target, which can be achieved as early as 2050.”

Social media users had questioned the government’s decision to remove the term “climate change” from Nik Nazmi’s ministry, asking if it meant Putrajaya was no longer committed to the issue.

Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said aside from natural resources and environmental sustainability, issues related to forests, land and wildlife conservation will continue to be handled by his ministry.

He said he would work closely with deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, who is in charge of the energy transition and public utilities ministry as the portfolio was related to sustainability.