PETALING JAYA: Malaysia welcomes high-value investments to develop the electric vehicles (EV) industry in the country and region, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Transport Minister said the country is ready to cooperate with the industry through manufacturing, assembly and research and development (R&D).

       “On behalf of the Malaysian government, I welcome high-value investments from abroad into Malaysia as a vital platform to bring EV manufacturing into the Asean market.

       “As Transport Minister, I assure you that we are ever ready to lend our assistance and cooperation to parties interested in investing in the country, particularly in transport and manufacturing, assembly, and R&D into EV in Malaysia,” he said yesterday on Facebook.

       Dr Wee received a courtesy call from Ferrucio Lamborghini, the third-generation scion of luxury car brand Lamborghini.

       Lamborghini was accompanied by GSS Energy chief executive officer Sydney Yeung.

       “We had a good discussion on the future of electric vehicles in Malaysia from several important standpoints, mulling over Malaysians’ acceptance to using EV, the government’s support of the industry, and potential investments and market prospects for EV here,” Dr Wee wrote.

       Last year, through Budget 2022, the government introduced incentives such as full exemptions of import duty, excise duty and sales tax for EVs to encourage EV ownership among Malaysians.