Also present are Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and Dato’ Mohd Zaki Mahyudin

TANJONG MALIM, 4 September 2025 – Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim today officiated the launch of Proton's first electric vehicle (EV) plant located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) here, marking the beginning of a new era in the national automotive industry.

Malaysia–China collaboration was also demonstrated through the launch of the new plant, serving as proof of successful technology transfer, expertise sharing and foreign investor confidence in Proton's potential to dominate the global market.

In his opening speech, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to the Perak State Government for their close cooperation and fast approvals, enabling this strategic project to be realised in a short period of time.

“I also welcome the presence of Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad and friends from the Perak State Government because, as mentioned earlier by DRB-HICOM Group Managing Director Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, their support and cooperation in expediting this approval process is an excellent example. That is a process of approval and the efficiency of the Perak State Government is commendable. Thank you,” he said.

He added that Proton’s investment with Geely is not just about increasing production capacity, but also strengthening technology transfer, developing centres of excellence and opening up more job opportunities for the local people.

"This collaboration is a timely step in facing the challenges of the global energy transition. The National Automotive Policy, Industrial Blueprint and National Transformation Agenda must to be translated with the support of modern technology that ultimately benefits the people directly," he said during the launch ceremony.

Meanwhile, he assured that Proton's success in penetrating international markets, including Egypt, South Africa and Brazil, will continue to be strengthened through government support, thereby reinforcing Malaysia's position as a regional automotive hub. In fact, the launch of Proton's EV model is also expected to draw attention at the ASEAN Summit to be held this October.

Proton's exclusive assembly plant, which took only seven months to complete since the groundbreaking ceremony on 7 February, was developed at a total cost of RM82 million on a 5.57-acre site. The first phase, valued at RM47 million and launched today, has a production capacity of 20,000 units annually, while its design allows production to be increased to 45,000 units per year.

Malaysia's first EV model, the Proton e.MAS 7, launched last December, became the first locally assembled (CKD) model produced at this plant, followed by the Proton e.MAS 5 as the second model. The collaboration with Zhejiang Geely Holding Ltd (Geely) also opens the opportunity for other premium brands, such as Zeekr, to be assembled at AHTV.

Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Automotive High Tech Valley Alliance Sdn Bhd (AASB) with Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) to conduct a study on a railway logistics hub at AHTV.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister  Loke Siew Fook, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, State Secretary Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Legal Advisor Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Dato’ Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, State Exco Members, PROTON Chairman Li Shufu and PROTON Chief Executive Officer Dr Li Chunrong.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.