Abe Lim
Abe Lim | |
|---|---|
林慧娴 | |
| Education | Oxford Brookes University |
| Occupations | Environmental advocate, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Purpose Plastics; MUDA candidate for Bandar Utama in the 2023 Selangor state election |
Abe Lim Hooi Sean (Chinese: 林慧娴), commonly known as Abe Lim, is a Malaysian environmental advocate and entrepreneur. She founded the plastic upcycling company Purpose Plastics in 2021 and has been involved in advocacy relating to plastic pollution, climate policy and environmental governance.[1][2]
Lim contested the Bandar Utama seat in the 2023 Selangor state election as a candidate for the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA).[3] In 2026, she was one of six young Malaysians who filed a judicial review application concerning the Malaysian government's commitment to maintain at least 50 per cent of the country's land area under forest cover.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]In 2019, she began studying law at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.[2] While studying in the United Kingdom, Lim became involved with environmental organisations and climate-related advocacy.[2]
In 2021, she was among the Malaysian participants associated with the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16) and attended COP26 as a youth observer.[6]
Environmental work
[edit]Purpose Plastics
[edit]Lim established Purpose Plastics in March 2021 as a company focused on repurposing plastic waste into household and lifestyle products.[1] The company was developed following Lim's research into plastic waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in Malaysia's recycling system.[7]
The company processed plastic waste into products including organisers, coasters, candle holders, jewellery and board-game pieces. The waste was cleaned, sorted and shredded before being incorporated into new products.[1]
Lim has said that the project was intended to address types of plastic that conventional recycling systems may not accept and to increase public awareness of plastic waste management.[5]
Purpose Plastics also conducted public environmental education activities. In connection with COP26, it worked with Malaysia's then Ministry of Environment and Water on a workshop explaining climate science and the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.[1]
Climate and environmental advocacy
[edit]Lim has been involved in environmental-law and climate-policy advocacy. A 2024 profile by ICON Malaysia described her as a climate law and policy consultant and reported her involvement with environmental law organisation ClientEarth.[2]
Her advocacy has also included issues affecting her hometown of Ipoh, including plastic pollution and the conservation of caves and karst formations.[5]
By 2025, Lim was identified as the founder and managing director of Responsible Projects Ventures, a Malaysian climate venture organisation working in areas including the circular economy and clean energy.[8]
She participated in the 2025 Asia Centre for Policy and Communications Conference in Singapore on a panel concerning environmental communication.[9]
Political activity
[edit]In July 2023, MUDA announced Lim as its candidate for the Bandar Utama constituency in the 2023 Selangor state election.[3]
Lim made environmental and urban-planning issues a significant part of her campaign. In an interview with Malay Mail, she said she entered electoral politics partly to increase attention on climate change in Malaysia and proposed a people-centred urban-planning framework for Bandar Utama.[10]
She also opposed the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Expressway (PJD Link). During the election campaign, MUDA candidates including Lim called for greater transparency surrounding the project and said they would oppose its revival if elected.[11]
Lim contested against incumbent Jamaliah Jamaluddin of the Democratic Action Party and Nur Alif Mohd Tafid of Gerakan. Jamaliah retained the seat with 39,845 votes. Lim received 2,496 votes, or 5.34 per cent of the valid votes cast.[12]
Election results
[edit]| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | N36 Bandar Utama | Abe Lim Hooi Sean (MUDA) | 2,496 | 5.34% | Jamaliah Jamaluddin (DAP) | 39,845 | 85.25% | 47,001 | 35,446 | 64.35% | ||
| Nur Aliff Mohd Tafid (GERAKAN) | 4,399 | 9.41% | ||||||||||
Climate litigation
[edit]On 28 February 2026, Lim and five other young Malaysians filed an application for judicial review in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against Malaysia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and the Government of Malaysia.[4]
The case concerns Malaysia's commitment to maintain at least 50 per cent of its total land area under forest cover, a commitment first announced at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and subsequently referred to in Malaysian policy statements.[4]
According to the application, expert analysis cited by the applicants estimated that between 4.27 million and 4.51 million hectares of natural forest had been earmarked for conversion to timber plantations and other commercial uses. The applicants argued that, if these conversions proceeded, Malaysia's forest cover could fall below the 50 per cent level.[4]
The applicants raised arguments based on constitutional and public-law principles, including the right to life, equality, legitimate expectation and the public trust doctrine.[4]
The proceedings became associated with the Mana Hutan Kami initiative. Lim discussed the case alongside lawyer Lim Wei Jiet on BFM 89.9 in April 2026.[15]
The Climate Litigation Database records the proceeding as Abe Lim & Others v Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Government of Malaysia.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Azni, Aireena (24 May 2022). "Purpose Plastics turns upcycled plastics into stylish home décor and fashion items". Options, The Edge. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Law, Jane (15 September 2024). "马来西亚日特辑｜海归追梦人：环境保护主义者 Abe Lim 林慧娴". ICON Malaysia (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 Bunyan, John (22 July 2023). "Muda announces final list of candidates for state election, Syed Saddiq says tough battle ahead". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Abe Lim & Others v Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Government of Malaysia". Climate Litigation Database. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Hello, I am Abe Lim: The eco-warrior and entrepreneur fighting for Earth's future". BURO Malaysia. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "COP26: Meet The Youths Representing Malaysia At The United Nations Climate Change Conference". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Chin, Koyyi. "Abe Lim and Chrystal Tan are Turning Plastics Into Beautiful Accessories". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Abe Lim". Asia Centre for Policy and Communications Conference 2025. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Beyond Green Talk: Innovating Environmental Communication for Impact". Asia Centre for Policy and Communications Conference 2025. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ Yusry, Muhammad (4 August 2023). "Tired of Malaysia's slow progress on climate change, Muda's Abe Lim wants to push environmental issues starting from Bandar Utama". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Muda vows to block PJD Link revival if candidates elected in Selangor". Malay Mail. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Live updates: 2023 State Elections". New Straits Times. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "N.36 Bandar Utama". UNDI.LA. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "Malaysia GE15 / PRU15 & 6 States Elections - Selangor". The Star. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
- ↑ "The "Mana Hutan Kami" Lawsuit Explained". BFM 89.9. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.