DRB-HICOM signs MoU with Perak govt to identify additional land for AHTV project

TANJUNG MALIM (April 12): DRB-HICOM Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Perak state government for the newly launched Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) project, to jointly identify suitable additional land in the area to be earmarked for AHTV.

DRB-HICOM chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin said the current area surrounding the Proton Tanjung Malim plant measures 1,618.74 hectares with most already occupied by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan ldris, existing vendors, as well as commercial premises and residential properties.

"The additional land will be for the development of AHTV, including a research university," he told reporters at the launch of AHTV and in conjunction with the MOU signing ceremony here Tuesday (April 12). The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Wan Zulkiflee said DRB-HICOM also recently signed another MoU for AHTV with Geely Holding Group to jointly develop AHTV and collaborate to identify vendors and investors for the hub.

He said the involvement of DRB-HICOM's strategic partner for national carmaker Proton, Geely Holding Group, known for its technological strength in the automotive ecosystem, is a boost for AHTV.

"This can be an impetus for auto and component manufacturers, especially from China to invest in local production facilities and to create a new business and export opportunities.

"Essentially, AHTV has the potential to be a gateway to ASEAN and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) markets for companies that make it as their base. There are already 17 vendors operating within the area," he said.

Emphasising new technologies and systems in global automotive industries, namely electrification, artificial intelligence (Al), autonomous technologies, and advanced connectivity, AHTV is envisioned to be an automotive industry hub for the ASEAN region.

Also present at the launch were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Minister of Finance Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and other government officials.

Wan Zulkiflee said the AHTV project aims to change the landscape of the automotive industry with an integrated ecosystem that will be a catalyst to revitalise the domestic automotive sector, in line with the direction of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020.

"This is to ensure that Malaysia's automotive industry continues to be on par, if not more advanced than In neighbouring countries,” he added. "With the right systems, infrastructure, and stakeholder support in place, AHTV will be well-positioned to attract investments from industry players in the region, spurring the growth and capability of the local automotive industry."