20/3/06 (NSTP)  - MALAYSIA will launch the first six trucks co-powered by palm oil-based fuel in Putrajaya tomorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to officiate at the launch where the six trucks will showcase their palm oil-based biodiesel capabilities.

Usage of the new fuel will later be extended to other vehicles in the government sector and thereafter commercialised for the public.

These include trucks, four-wheel drives and jeeps owned by the Transport Ministry, Works Department, army, City Hall and Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) have been using palm oil-powered vehicles for the past 30 years.

At the event, the MPOB will also sign a memorandum of understanding with Petroliam Nasional Bhd on the various aspects of cooperation such as joint research and development and marketing activities.

Malaysia, like others, is vigorously developing biodiesel to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. Biodiesel is a mixture of any vegetable oil (palm oil, rapeseed) with petroleum diesel which is then burned together to generate energy.

Malaysia currently combines 5 per cent of palm oil and 95 per cent diesel to produce the B5 biodiesel.

The country is also building its first three biodiesel plants which will be ready within a year at a combined cost of RM120 million.