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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint, with transportation being one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government's national energy transition plan focuses heavily on greening the mobility sector to reduce emissions across both private and commercial transportation.
"We are focused on building a sustainable future for the generations to come," Fadillah said at the launch of 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS 2024) here today.
"Transportation is not just vital for achieving our sustainability goals, but it is also a key contributor to our economy," he added.
Fadillah said KLIMS 2024 underscores a profound transition from traditional modes of transportation to innovative, sustainable and integrated mobility solutions.
It highlights Malaysia's commitment to creating a greener, more efficient and inclusive future, with the automotive sector playing a central role in the nation's energy transition.
He added that KLIMS 2024 serves as an ideal venue to witness first hand the automotive industry's technological innovations, particularly in the electric and hybrid vehicle sectors.
Fadillah said Malaysia had made significant progress in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its broader push toward sustainability.
The government introduced a number of measures to incentivise the EV industry, such as the establishment of a nationwide charging infrastructure and removal of import and excise duties on EVs.
The automotive industry, he said, remains a cornerstone of Malaysia's economy, contributing about four per cent to the gross domestic product and employing over 700,000 individuals.
He pointed out that during the 2025 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a substantial allocation of RM4.95 billion to the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
This is aimed at driving the country's renewable energy and energy-efficient initiatives, including the development of 3,171 EV charging stations nationwide.
The government also introduced measures such as the Net Energy Metering programme and the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme.
Fadillah said Malaysia's focus on sustainable mobility is aligned with the Asean power grid initiative, which promotes regional energy cooperation, and further strengthened by the country's leadership as Asean chair in 2025.
As part of its goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Malaysia is already exploring cutting-edge technologies such as battery energy storage systems, pump hydro storage and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
These solutions will help facilitate the transition to a low-carbon future while creating new opportunities for the local automotive and energy sectors.
Fadillah said the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 is a pivotal framework in driving the development of next-generation vehicles (NxGVs) and mobility as a service (MaaS).
The policy emphasises energy-efficient vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions, setting the stage for Malaysia's role in the global shift toward greener transportation.
This focus on innovation is also reflected in the country's efforts to integrate local manufacturers and small and medium enterprises into the global automotive supply chain.
By fostering a competitive and sustainable local industry, Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional hub for EV production and innovation.
The strategic move is expected to boost Malaysia's standing as a key player in the global automotive sector.
He said his Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry is exploring further transformative technologies.
This includes small modular reactors and large-scale renewable energy solutions.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2024/12/1143734/klims-2024-reflects-malaysias-vision-sustainable-automotive-future