Automotive industry transformation will continue if BN gets mandate: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The government under the administration of Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to support the transformation of the automotive industry to achieve future mobility needs if given the mandate to helm the government administration, said Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Speaking at the 'Connected Mobility' roadshow and the launch of the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 today, the prime minister said this was because the National Mobility Policy 2018 was important as an engine that motivated the Malaysian economy to reach a higher level.
"Benefits from the review of the National Automotive Policy can only be achieved through the continuation of the government under my administration.
"With the achievement of progress and presence of futuristic elements in the transportation system, the people will enjoy benefits in terms of efficiency, productivity improvement and technological development.
"The BN government is a party that can be trusted to bring the aspiration of all the Malaysian people through new experiences in futuristic transportation in the years to come," he said.
Also present were Secretary-General of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) Datuk Seri J.Jayasiri and Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) Datuk Madani Sahari.
Najib said Miti and MAI had already initiated a review of the National Automotive Policy 2018 (NAP 2018) encompassing four major pillars namely the New Generation Vehicle, Mobility, Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) and Artificial Intelligence.
"In order to realise this vision, the policy and regulations must be reviewed and adjusted.
"A holistic involvement that cuts across stakeholders including the ministries, automotive industry agencies and the youths is crucial in planning and implementing the strategies of the industry towards the same direction besides improving the country's competitiveness in the automotive industry," he said.
Najib said thus, the BN government would take pro-active measures, be more careful and have detailed planning in drawing up the national development agenda as contained in the BN manifesto launched on April 7 recently.
According to the prime minister, among the things given emphasis in the manifesto concerning Futuristic Transportation were the construction of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Railway (HSR), constructing the track for the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL) from Port Klang, Selangor to Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan and the development of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and phase 3 of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).
He said the various initiatives taken to create a more sustainable and efficient transportation system did not mean that the government would cease providing and developing infrastructural progress for the people.
"This does not mean that our endeavours have completed. We must ensure that there is continuity in developing a better policy that will give positive impact to the people including the future generation,"he said.
According to Najib, it was the aspiration of the government to ensure that the national automotive industry continued to grow to be smarter and more sophisticated and subsequently to continue to look further ahead.
"We hope that the aspiration of Malaysians to own electrical cars, to enjoy self-driven cars as well as flying cars will be achievable one day.
He also expressed confidence that the government would continue to carry the people's aspiration to boost a balanced Malaysian economy in terms of social maturity, wealth sharing and sustainable environment. — Bernama