RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Domestic Trade ; RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Natural Resources

RimbaWatch filed two judicial review applications before the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability after both ministries declined to investigate complaints concerning alleged greenwashing by Shell Malaysia. The complaints related to Shell Helix engine oil products marketed as “carbon neutral.” According to RimbaWatch, the products’ packaging and related materials did not provide sufficient information regarding the carbon offsets, offset quantities, or certification methodologies underlying the claims. RimbaWatch submitted complaints to both ministries on September 20, 2025. On September 30, 2025, each ministry responded that the matter fell outside its jurisdiction and referred the complaint to the other ministry. RimbaWatch subsequently filed judicial review applications on December 24, 2025, seeking orders quashing the ministries’ decisions, declarations concerning the ministries’ statutory duties to investigate the complaint, and mandamus orders compelling investigation. The applications raise questions regarding the scope of governmental duties under Malaysia’s Environmental Quality Act 1974 and Consumer Protection Act 1999 in relation to environmental marketing and consumer protection claims. The applicants also reportedly reference the International Court of Justice’s July 23, 2025 Advisory Opinion on climate change obligations in support of arguments concerning governmental due diligence obligations. As of May 2026, the proceedings remained pending at the leave stage before the Kuala Lumpur High Court. A hearing initially scheduled for January 21, 2026 was postponed, and a leave hearing was later scheduled for March 31, 2026.