The Tanjung Malim MP’s announcement follows Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to China which had resulted in memorandums of understanding (MoUs), one of which was signed between DRB-Hicom Bhd and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd related to the development and commercialisation of a next-generation vehicle hub in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
“In line with our roadmap, we hope to achieve 38% EVs on the road by 2040. Although we do not (yet) have an ecosystem, this is a good start. Geely coming in and other EV companies’ interest in investing here would help us build a complete ecosystem,” said Chang at the science, technology and innovation ministry (Mosti) today.
The AHTV will cover an extensive automotive and mobility solutions value chain – ranging from a full-fledged high technology global research & development centre, to a manufacturing cluster, supporting services and associated ecosystem for a new energy vehicle industry in the country.
Chang said Mosti has positioned itself to oversee the development, validation and commercialisation of local green-mobility technologies in supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a sustainable economy aligned with its Low-Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021-2030 goals.
NanoMalaysia Bhd, one of Mosti’s agencies, is currently ramping up the domestic electric mobility ecosystem through programmes including the National Energy Storage Technology Initiative, Enabling Mobility Electrification for Green Economy programme, Rapid Electric Vehicles Innovation Validation Ecosystem, Hydrogen-paired Electric Race Car, and Biomass Innovation Circular Economy Programme.
“These initiatives are to lead Malaysia into developing and commercialising energy storage systems which are crucial for electricity mobility, excess grid, renewable energy, and uninterrupted power supply for commercial and domestic building uses,” Mosti’s statement read.
Previously, the two nations have also signed agreements on science, technology and innovation cooperation (2013), vaccine development and accessibility (2020), as well as space cooperation and peaceful use of outer space (2003). The last one was renewed between the Malaysian Space Agency and China National Space Administration in 2021.
Anwar’s official visit to China from March 29 to April 2 commemorated the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Putrajaya and Beijing. A total of 19 MoUs were signed between businesses in the two nations comprising various fields including green technology and digital economy.
For 14 consecutive years, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner with a total trade of RM487.13 billion recorded in 2022, up 15.6% from the year before.