EV to be the official vehicle of ASEAN leaders in 2025 – PM

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said electric vehicles (EVs) will be used as the official cars of ASEAN leaders when they attend national events when Malaysia becomes ASEAN Chairman in 2025.

He said for that purpose, the government will try to get as many EVs as possible.

“It’s quite interesting when the Cabinet decided that recently, (so far) wherever we go, the heads of state will be given a big Mercedes car.

“… we are of the view that if we are serious about sustainability and energy transition, we need to emphasize that in Malaysia, the vehicles given to heads of state, ministers and officials are only EVs,” he said.

Anwar said this at the Malaysian Scientists’ Forum MADANI Series 2: The Energy Sector as a Catalyst for Sustainable and Inclusive Socioeconomic Growth jointly organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Petronas.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Petronas President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz.

The Prime Minister said the decision to use an EV as the official car of ASEAN leaders even though it may be smaller in size is because it is cheaper than other vehicles.

“We will inform all heads of state… Please use it and I hope you will be satisfied,” he said.

He also said Malaysia should take the opportunity from the ASEAN Chairmanship considering that the region has the potential to be an economic power thus strengthening the country’s economic and political influence in ASEAN.

“We should take advantage of this opportunity to make Malaysia an ASEAN hub for sustainable growth,” he said.

Anwar also said Malaysia can now choose the form of investment it wants to receive following the country’s ability to attract investment.

“We used to welcome all data centers, now we don’t, if data centers are added to centers of excellence, AI (artificial intelligence) and transfer of training, exposure, yes (we accept investment) if not, we don’t accept.

“We have an advantage here because we have reached a stage where we can be more selective about the type of investment we receive,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia is also taking a more assertive foreign policy approach without neglecting diplomacy.

“We remain polite but frank in our relationship,” he said, referring to cooperation with China.

He said projects such as the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) were now being carried out “on our terms” with an emphasis on resource utilization, technology transfer and local talent development.

— BERNAMA

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