PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is ready to cooperate with the electric vehicles (EV) industry through manufacturing, assembly as well as research and development, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Transport Minister said he welcomed high-value investments from overseas to the country as an important platform to bring EV into the regional market.

       “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 that we are ever ready to lend our assistance and cooperation to parties interested to invest in the country, particularly in transport and manufacturing, assembly, and R&D into EV in Malaysia,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (April 10).

       Dr Wee received a courtesy call from the third generation scion of luxury car brand Lamborghini family, Ferruccio 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 as well as potential investments and market prospects for EV here,” Dr Wee added.

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