RimbaWatch v NRES and KPDN
Kuala Lumpur High Court · 23 September 2026
- Court
- Kuala Lumpur High Court
- Decided
- 23 September 2026
- Status
- Dismissed in chambers; appeal announced, written grounds awaited
What was decided
RimbaWatch complained to two Malaysian ministries about a fossil fuel-derived product marketed as “carbon neutral”. Each ministry said the matter belonged with the other, so RimbaWatch sought judicial review of both. The High Court dismissed both applications in chambers, with no order as to costs and no written grounds so far.
Why it matters
The case asks a practical question: when each ministry points at the other, who has to look at a green claim? It is also, on RimbaWatch’s account, the first time the International Court of Justice’s 2025 climate opinion has been relied on in a Malaysian court. How much it teaches depends on the written grounds and the appeal.
2Ministries that each said the complaint was outside their jurisdiction
Same dayBoth replies arrived on 30 September 2025, each pointing to the other ministry
No reasonsThe High Court has not yet published written grounds for its ruling
How the case unfolded
20 September 2025
RimbaWatch complains to KPDN and NRES about “carbon neutral” marketing of a fossil fuel-derived product.
30 September 2025
Both ministries reply that the matter is outside their jurisdiction and belongs with the other.
December 2025
RimbaWatch files two judicial review applications in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
23 September 2026
The High Court dismisses both applications in chambers. RimbaWatch says it will appeal and ask for written grounds.
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