By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, July 14 — Electric car company Tesla Inc’s decision to operate in Selangor reflects the high level of investor confidence in the state administration, says Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
In a statement today, Amirudin said the move is anticipated to boost the state’s economy, attract more international investors, and give its residents access to high-skilled employment opportunities, particularly in the clean energy industry.
“Tesla Inc’s presence in Selangor demonstrates investors’ confidence in this administration and will encourage more international companies in battery technology industries to invest in Selangor, and aspire the young generation to engage in high-technology fields, particularly in the clean energy industry.
“This is not only important in the private vehicles industry, but also the use of clean energy batteries in public transportation sectors such as rail, buses, and vans,” said Amirudin.
Amirudin said Tesla’s decision to set up its head office, service centre, and experience centre in Selangor this year was following a virtual meeting held this morning between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
In welcoming the move, he said several locations in Selangor have been identified as potential sites, including the districts of Petaling and Sepang, where he assured that respective local authorities would assist in facilitating the necessary due diligence procedure.
He said the development also aligns with the state government’s plans for Selangor to become the most efficient 5G internet facility in Southeast Asia.
“This development is also in line with the state government’s aspiration for Selangor to become a state with the most efficient 5G facility in Southeast Asia as part of the foundation to attract more investors, domestically or globally, who can offer higher-income job opportunities, particularly to the people in Selangor,” he said.
On March 1, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) announced that it has approved Tesla’s application to import battery electric vehicles (BEV) into Malaysia.
Tesla’s presence in Malaysia is anticipated to create skilled and better-paying job opportunities for workers in the BEV segment and increase the participation of local companies in the Tesla ecosystem, both domestically and globally.
The US-based company was reported to be making its official debut in Malaysia on July 20.
