KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has urged Malaysia’s automotive industry to embrace sustainability and technological advancements to remain competitive.
Speaking at the Ramadan Iftar PEKEMA event last night (Mar 16), he highlighted the need for industry players to adapt to the evolving market, particularly in the transition towards electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
He pointed out the growing competition in vehicle imports following changes to government policies on Approved Permits (APs), encouraging PEKEMA to explore opportunities in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly in infrastructure development.
“The future of vehicles lies in electric and hydrogen-powered technology. Can PEKEMA continue importing such vehicles? Can hydrogen vehicles be brought in? These are critical questions for business sustainability,” he said.
He urged PEKEMA to diversify by investing in EV charging stations, either through consortia, joint ventures, or even by manufacturing their own stations.
“In Sabah and Sarawak, the sector remains underdeveloped, presenting an opportunity for PEKEMA to install direct current (DC) fast chargers. This could support Malaysia’s goal of deploying 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide,” he added.
Fadillah also addressed the impact of autonomous vehicle technology on traditional car ownership models.
“In Sarawak, we already have Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) systems, and globally, self-driving cars are becoming a reality.
“Will people still buy cars in the future? The industry must prepare for a transition towards shared mobility and autonomous transport services,” he said.
Citing China’s use of drones in logistics as an example of disruptive innovation, he urged industry players to stay proactive.
“The government is developing roadmaps to help businesses navigate these changes. We must anticipate challenges and seize new opportunities.”
