KUALA LUMPUR: The government has started work on National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2018 with an emphasis on new generation vehicles, mobility, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The Prime Minister said the previous NAP 2014 was an important achievement for the government, liberating Malaysia’s automotive market after 30 years of protectionism.
Najib said the plan to liberalise the automotive industry was done with a systematic approach.
The initiatives would place Malaysia as a technology hub in the development and manufacturing of automobiles, he added.
"The National Automotive Policy 2014 was also holistically developed to move together with the development of the transportation ecosystem in an effort to become more competitive on the global scale,” he said at the launch of the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 today.
Najib said at the end of 2017, it was estimated that more than half of all vehicles sold in Malaysia are energy efficient vehicles.
As a result of this achievement, when combined with the operation of the new Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), high speed rails such as HSR, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and an efficient highway network, as well as the widening and improvement of main roads, a more comprehensive and efficient transportation system can be developed, he added.
In his speech, Najib also outlined the Barisan Nasional's manifesto in providing modern and efficient services to the public called "Futuristic Transportation".
Among others, it will include the introduction of a National Transformation 2050 public transport pass costing between RM50 and RM150 with unlimited monthly access for students, working youths, senior citizens and disabled persons.
Other initiatives include building the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) and the ECRL from Port Klang to Pengkalan Kubor, increasing the Klang Valley's public transportation network with the construction of phase 3 of the LRT and MRT and building the Gemas-Johor Bahru dual-track railway line.
The government is also upgrading and maintaining federal roads in stages as an alternative to tolled highways.
Najib also announced the launch of Mobiliti Digital Optimisation Services, or MDOTS by the Malaysia Automotive Institute.
This initiative will enable the collection, analysis and interpretation of information into smart data, which can be later used in decision making and the development of policies.