KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) will be drafting a policy specifically for electric vehicles (EV) following the robust development of the sustainable automobile industry.
Its deputy minister Liew Chin Tong (Pakatan Harapan-Iskandar Puteri) said the policy was currently being drafted by a special taskforce on EV.
"The special taskforce on EV which was approved by the Cabinet on Feb 17, will be reviewing the manufacturers, importers and brands so that opportunities can be given to local companies.
"The taskforce will also review the second aspect involving charging stations other than electronic and electrical (E&E) networks with EV manufacturers.
"So, the government needs a little more time to outline the future of EV," he told the Parliament during the question and answer time here today.
Liew was responding to a supplementary question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Perikatan Nasional-Kuala Krai) on the government's efforts to expand the EV industry in the country.
The Iskandar Puteri MP added that local EV production might happen in the next two years seeing the rapid development of the industry at a global scale.
"From the pricing and manufacturing of the EV, it shows there are rapid changes that involve competition and changes from conventional engines to EV.
"Following the progressive changes in the industry, there might be new opportunities in a year or two," he said.
Previously, the ministry had targeted RM20 billion in investments by 2025 under the EV industry.
In a separate matter, Liew denied that Proton was given special treatment despite it being controlled by the private sector.
He, however, said the ministry was ready to update the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 which will align with the development of the global automotive industry.
"Under the NAP 2020, the criteria for Malaysian Vehicle Project (MVP) was the guideline that set Proton's status as the local vehicle manufacturer.
"Among the MVP criteria is having a local majority ownership; focusing on the development of local supply chains; carrying out local research and development (R&D) activities and providing employment opportunities for Malaysians.
"The government does not provide special treatment to Proton or Perodua; instead it defends the existing policy, NAP 2020. We are ready to update the policy given the rapid changes in the automotive industry," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Liew said this in response to Lee Chean Chung's (Pakatan Harapan-Petaling Jaya) question on why Proton was still given special treament considering that it was no longer the national car and is only 51 per cent locally owned.