Prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night at the Proton eMas 7 launch that the vehicle would be the official car for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Bernama reports.
He said Malaysia hopes to set an example in the region in promoting EV development, emphasising that it is a direct visible extension of the country’s net zero commitment.
“In the near future, I am also happy to see that this car will be built in Malaysia in Tanjung Malim, hence uplifting Malaysian vendors through the transfer of new technologies and skills associated with EV,” he said, adding that choosing the eMas 7 also shows the government’s support for the first national EV.
Anwar said that as a national carmaker, Proton should leverage its role in the local automotive industry and the EV project, and take the National Automotive Policy 2020 as a reference for the eMas 7’s forthcoming local production.
He said companies in the industry should not just sell cars, but provide investment and employment opportunities through the establishment of a holistic ecosystem.
“But your challenge and our challenge too, is the supply side. We must ensure that you have the capacity and a clear policy to encourage local production and support local industries and local vendors, including the Bumiputera,” Anwar said.
He also expressed confidence that with the development of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, more local vendors will be involved in the production of not just Proton cars but other brands.
“This would be a shining example of the networking opportunities and economic cooperation that has existed between China and Malaysia for over 50 years, and I commend both parties for their creativity and diligence in making the partnership a success,” he said.
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