Malaysia’s first flying car will be driven by local technology, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

He stated that the car’s prototype is already available and is expected to be unveiled to the public this year.

"This year is a realistic target because we have the technology. It is all about speed of implementation," he told reporters after launching the Growth Malaysia initiative in Kuala Lumpur today.

Redzuan said the car would be safe and capable of flying at low altitude at a reasonable speed.

"Investment to build the prototype would be slightly over RM1 million," he said.

The flying car project, the minister said, is a way for the government to create an environment that stimulates people to think about new technology.

"We are providing the catalyst and ecosystem to stimulate the people to think beyond what we do today."

Redzuan added that the project is also to utilise the country's capabilities in the aerospace, drone, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and automotive sector.

"Malaysia has the skill set to excel in the field of aerospace, drone, UAV and the national car, and we need to use our skill set, because the bottom line is we want to be a producing nation."

However, Redzuan said the project is separate from the third national car project envisioned by the prime minister.

Helping offline retailers go digital

On Growth Malaysia, he said the initiative is led by online-to-offline platform operator Fave to help offline retailers in Malaysia go digital in terms of payments, marketing, data and financial services.

"This is in line with the ministry's mission to widen and coordinate entrepreneurial activities to be more targeted," he said.

Fave founder Joel Neoh said the initiative aims to help 100,000 restaurants across Malaysia grow digitally by 2020.

"As the world evolves to going digital, offline businesses, especially those in food and beverages and retail, need to catch up and adapt to the growing shift in the behaviour of consumers, or risk being left behind."

Neoh said the initiative is also in collaboration with Grab Malaysia, Maybank, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Funding Societies and Productivity Nexus for Retail and Food and Beverages.

- Bernama