Malaysia pulled the covers off the Proton e.MAS 5 at a showcase timed to the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur today, signalling a push to make electric cars more affordable for local buyers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang viewed the car at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, alongside senior ministers and executives from Geely Holding Group and Proton.
Positioned as Proton’s first mass-market EV, the e.MAS 5 is the brand’s second electric model after last year’s e.MAS 7.
Developed using Geely design and technology, it supports the National Energy Transition Roadmap and is aimed at speeding up EV adoption among price-sensitive Malaysians.
Proton said full details and pricing would follow at the official launch on Oct 30.
Sharing the stage was a redesigned Proton Saga. Built on the company’s Advanced Modular Architecture with technical input from Geely, the new model is the first to be fully designed, engineered and validated by Malaysian talent.
Proton retains complete intellectual property rights, a milestone for domestic capability that the company says will underpin future models.
The event highlighted the deepening partnership between DRB-Hicom and Geely, created to modernise Proton through technology transfer and skills development. Officials said the collaboration as a catalyst for the wider automotive ecosystem, from local suppliers to advanced manufacturing.
Both the e.MAS 5 and the new Saga are part of plans to turn Tanjong Malim, Perak, into a regional hub under the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) initiative. The project aims to attract investment, expand R&D and position Malaysia as a competitive production base in Southeast Asia.
By unveiling the e.MAS 5 during a major regional summit, Malaysia tied industrial policy to diplomacy. For Proton, the message is clear: deliver home-grown design backed by global tech, and make electrification attainable for the mainstream. Pricing and full specifications will be confirmed at the launch.
