Kuala Lampur, April 5 -- Rare earth elements are the unsung heroes of the modern economy - powering everything from electric vehicles and wind turbines to smartphones and defence systems.

As the world scrambles to diversify supply chains away from China's dominance, Malaysia sits on a potential goldmine, yet remains trapped in a cycle of debate and delay.

The core issue is not a lack of plans or task forces, but a crippling governance stalemate between federal and state authorities.

If Malaysia does not break this deadlock soon, it risks missing a generational opportunity to become a significant player in the global green economy.

The global context presents a window of opportunity. China currently controls over 60 per cent of global ...