Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have a sizeable presence in the global REE supply chain – now a geopolitical focal point – but although they may have substantial reserves, their REE production levels are still lower than China's.
Last December's launch of Malaysia's first national EV could spur local component production, but this could be constrained by market conditions while the country's old supply chain, in which the carmaker remains heavily invested, will endure.
We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally.