Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today the government will examine complaints that the conditions tied to EV factory projects may be too strict, and that the matter will be discussed with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).
Bernama reported his remarks after Perak raised fresh concern over the rules attached to EV manufacturing plans.
The immediate issue is BYD’s proposed assembly project in Tanjung Malim.
The Star reported that Perak exco Loh Sze Yee said a day earlier the federal terms now linked to EV investments could unsettle foreign investors and hurt Malaysia’s investment image.
He pointed to two conditions in particular: an 80:20 export-to-domestic sales ratio and an initial 40% localisation requirement. Loh said those came in after BYD had already filed its investment application.
He also said the Tanjung Malim site is inactive for now and argued that the project has stalled because the newer requirements are harder to meet. Perak, he said, wants any eventual BYD production presence in Malaysia to remain there.
Miti has meanwhile tried to draw a line under some of the broader claims.
In its March 31 statement, the ministry said there is no ban on importing new pick-up truck models such as the BYD Shark 6 or GWM Cannon. It said commercial vehicles, including pick-ups, are still subject to CKD localisation rules, but CBU imports remain allowed in limited numbers under the Market Research Pre-Assembly Approved Permit quota.
Miti also said it had made no announcement banning new pick-up brands from entering Malaysia.
So Malaysia’s problem is not a lack of interest in EV investment. It is the balance between industrial policy and commercial reality.
The government wants localisation, exports and deeper manufacturing value. Investors want terms they can live with. Anwar has now signalled that Putrajaya will take another look.
