Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s robust electrical and electronics (E and E) sector is strategically positioning the country to take the lead in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery component manufacturing sector within the ASEAN region. This development is geared towards supporting the increasing demands of the regional mobility ecosystem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) chairman Datuk Aminar Rashid highlighted the necessity of addressing infrastructure gaps, modernizing logistics networks, and simplifying cross-border mobility. These steps are crucial for ensuring the smooth flow of goods, services, and talent, enabling Malaysia to realize its vision of becoming a regional hub for next-generation vehicles, mobility accessories, and Industry 4.0 technologies as outlined in the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020.
Aminar emphasized that the new Industrial Master Plan 2030 further supports Malaysia’s trajectory towards high-value, high-technology industries, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity. During his opening remarks at the PwC Automotive ASEAN Conference, he noted MARii’s collaboration with academia, industry, and government to establish certification pathways, digital training platforms, and inclusive programs to empower all Malaysians in shaping the future of mobility.
Highlighting the necessity of collaboration, Aminar stated that no single entity can navigate this shift alone. It requires a collective effort from governments, industries, academia, financial institutions, and consumers, both within Malaysia and across ASEAN and beyond, to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
During the conference, PwC Malaysia and MARii signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing Malaysia’s automotive sector within ASEAN. PwC Malaysia executive chair Nurul A’in Abdul Latif expressed the partnership’s goal to bolster Malaysia’s status as a regional hub for mobility innovation. She noted the profound changes occurring in the automotive industry due to shifts in technology, regulation, investment priorities, and consumer preferences. PwC is committed to delivering data-driven insights to inform and support Malaysia’s automotive policy formulation, investment strategies, and long-term industry competitiveness, especially as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship.