Tanjung Malim: DRB-Hicom has launched the development plan of Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) which would mark the start of a “high impact major project” that will boost the national automotive industry.
AHTV will be developed with an integrated ecosystem that will be a catalyst to revitalise the domestic automotive sector in line with the direction of the National Automotive Policy that has been introduced since 1985.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said that the development of the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) can make Malaysia, among others, a hub for electric vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, not only for the ASEAN market but also for a wider market.
The development of AHTV was proposed more than 10 years ago to strengthen PROTON’s manufacturing operations from Shah Alam, Selangor to Tanjung Malim, so that it could be centralised and productive.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the development would be able to attract foreign investors, especially from China and other countries, because it has the potential to strengthen the automotive ecosystem in a large area.
Generate more job opportunities
Apart from that, the Prime Minister said Tanjung Malim would see an economic overflow from the activities of the AHTV development project which is expected to generate 370,000 jobs during construction and 160,000 jobs when it is operational.
“Other developments that have an economic chain reaction such as industrial parks and property development for commercial purposes as a whole have the potential to generate RM32 billion by 2030," he said.
"AHTV is also targeted to be a development and research (R&D) reference centre for technologies based on global climate compliance with the establishment of a Research University that is significant to this industry," he said.
Make Malaysia a carbon neutral country by 2050
Speaking further, Ismail Sabri said the effort to develop AHTV as a new hub for the production of electric vehicles was in line with the government’s aspirations and commitment towards achieving the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
Besides, it is in an effort to make Malaysia a carbon neutral country by 2050, added the Prime Minister. It is expected to drive the development of downstream industries and other sectors that focus on the latest technology, especially in the efficient use and management of resources, thus reducing the greenhouse effect.
“I am confident and believe that with the ability of DRB-HICOM assisted by coordination from the relevant government agencies, as well as the funds channelled, it is capable of becoming a prestigious automotive mega project in the region,” he said.
The Prime Minister also proposed that Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), which is within the AHTV area, to develop a Centre of Advanced Automotive Research and Training (CAART).
The centre should be developed to meet the needs of the country’s automotive sector in terms of trained manpower, education and research.
“By being equipped with lecture rooms, accommodation facilities and high-tech laboratories, CAART at UPSI can focus on research, skills training, human resource development and maintenance related to the latest automotive technology. This is to ensure that the demand and supply in terms of the latest technology, training and human resource at AHTV can be sustained in a productive manner,” he said.
