Malaysia (Commonwealth Union)_ Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is slated to hold a meeting with Elon Musk, the Chief Executive Officer of electric car giant Tesla, next week to explore avenues for expanding the billionaire’s investments in Malaysia. The Prime Minister revealed that Musk, who is also the owner of Twitter, expressed his interest in discussing this matter during their scheduled meeting. Anwar underscored the country’s need for additional investments to bolster its income and alleviate its mounting debt, which currently stands at RM1.5 trillion. He also emphasized the urgency of attracting both domestic and foreign direct investments, as these initiatives can significantly contribute to job creation.
Earlier in March, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, the Minister of International Trade and Industry, announced that his ministry had granted approval for Tesla’s application to import battery electric vehicles (BEV) into Malaysia. According to him, the establishment of a Tesla head office, the introduction of Tesla’s experience centers and service centers, as well as the establishment of the Supercharger network, are planned as part of Tesla’s presence in Malaysia. The arrival of Tesla in the country is expected to generate skilled job opportunities with higher remuneration in the BEV sector, while also enhancing the involvement of local companies within the Tesla ecosystem, both domestically and globally. Tengku Zafrul noted that Tesla’s decision to invest in Malaysia demonstrates their confidence in the country’s economic fundamentals and favorable business environment.
Anwar further revealed that he recently met with Japanese investors who expressed their interest in investing an additional RM20 billion in Malaysia. Further, reflecting on his efforts to attract foreign investments, Anwar mentioned that his visit to China a few months ago also focused on attracting further investments. He emphasized that the key outcome was the commitment received from Chinese investors to invest RM170 billion in Malaysia. During his visit, a total of 19 memoranda of understanding were inked, including agreements for the development of a high-technology automotive valley in Tanjung Malim, focusing on new energy vehicles.
Further, Anwar also shared that he held a meeting with officials from Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco a few weeks ago, during which they expressed their intention to increase investments in Johor. The PM affirmed that his government will persist in seeking further investments for the betterment of the people, emphasizing the vital role played by civil servants in ensuring the success of these endeavors. Anwar expressed his appreciation for the commitment, dedication, loyalty, and sacrifices of civil servants, attributing the government’s accomplishments thus far to their contributions. He emphasized the importance of responsibly carrying out their duties and maintaining the trust bestowed on them.
