Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim congratulates and supports the government on the opening of the Tesla Head Office, Service Center and Experience Center In Selangor this year.
“Malaysia will continue to strengthen its commitment in the matter of net zero carbon emissions as early as 2050,” he said during the online conference with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, adding that Malaysia has a comprehensive plan and ecosystem, as well as competitive resources to support the clean energy industry including electric mobility.
Also present at the virtual meeting were Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil.
According to Anwar, discussions were also made regarding the participation of the SpaceX company in the Starlink satellite service that can contribute to faster and more widespread internet access, especially in rural areas. Note that this will require minimal physical infrastructure and land to improve the global internet network.
“This initiative will increase the ability and well-being of the people, especially from the aspect of education and the potential of agricultural technology and income generation,” said Anwar.
According to Starlink’s website, it provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe using the world’s largest constellation of satellites on a low orbit around the earth. Starlink said it is able to support high data rate activities such as streaming, video calls and online gaming as the satellites’ low orbit results in lower latency or shorter round trip data time between user and the satellite.
The virtual meeting started at 9.30 am and lasted about 25 minutes. Last Friday, Anwar said he would have a meeting with Musk this week to explore ways for the leading electric vehicle company to increase investment in Malaysia.
On March 1, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) announced US-based Tesla’s decision to establish its presence in Malaysia by setting up a head office, Tesla Experience and Service centres and a supercharger network here, adding that this is expected to create better-paying jobs for Malaysians and increase participation of local companies in Tesla’s ecosystem.
On March 1, MITI also announced its approval of Tesla’s application to import battery electric vehicles into Malaysia. Tengku Zafrul on March 6 said Tesla’s decision to invest in Malaysia was based on the country’s strong electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, with the country being a big part of Tesla’s supply chain. Malaysia is the seventh largest producer in the E&E and semiconductor sector which provides parts for the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
On April 19, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia’s requirements to Tesla include the installation of at least 50 superchargers — to charge electric cars — within three years and with at least 30 per cent of these to be usable by other brands.
Tesla had been reported as early as April to have started recruitment for several job positions in Malaysia. Tesla is set to officially launch in Malaysia on July 20 and has unveiled its official price listing for the Tesla Model Y car which will be sold in Malaysia from RM199,000 onwards.
